Was shut down since June 2017 due to mine fires
The 34-km Dhanbad – Chandrapura section on East Central Railway is all set to be fully re-opened for rail traffic soon. The section was closed due to mine fires in June 2017 following a report from the Director General of Mine Safety (DGMS).
Authorization for re-opening of the remaining section for goods & passenger trains between Kusunda – Sonardih was received recently. The Chief Commissioner of Railway Safety approved the re-opening after joint inspection with the DGMS, said a statement from Indian Railways.
Some repair and rehabilitation works have been identified for the line. Post completion of work, the full section will be re-opened for traffic by the East Central Railway.
Different sections of the line between Dhanbad – Kusunda, Sonardih – Chandrapura and the Katrasgarh – Nichitpur link line were re- opened for traffic between June to November 2017 subsequently, on the certificate from DGMS.
Opened in 1894
Opened for traffic in 1894, this line used to directly connect Dhanbad to Bokaro, Ranchi, Barka Kana and Daltonganj. The line passes over the coal fields of Jharia in Jharkhand. Major trains which used to take this route were the Maurya express, Howrah- Ranchi Shatabdi, Patliputra express, Vananchal express and the Dhanbad -Alappuzha express.
Mine fires
The Dhanbad – Jharia Patherdih section has been closed due to mine fires since 2005. Since then, all trains bound for Patherdih – Bhojudih onwards to Adra have since then been re-routed via PradhanKhunta Jn and Sindri Block Hut.