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🌏 Geography of Bihar Chapter 14: Water, Roads and Railways (पानी, सड़क एवं रेल)

Module 3: Rail Transport

📖 Chapter 14 of 17 🧩 Module 3 of 5 ⏱️ ~8 min read 💡 37 MCQs
Topic Part 1 of 2

Concept

Subtopic 3.1: Rail Facts and Records

  • Of the new lines laid after independence, 7.38% were laid in Bihar; Bihar has 7.12% in terms of gauge and 12.8% of India's electrified rail routes.
  • India's largest railway bridge is at Dehri-on-Sone on the Son. A complete railway workshop was developed at Jamalpur (Munger) on 8 February 1862.
  • The first locomotive built at Jamalpur was CA 764 'Lady Curzon', in 1899.
  • When Indian Railways celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2003, the rail minister was Nitish Kumar; he was also the second rail minister to resign after a major accident (the first: Lal Bahadur Shastri).
  • The (described as) world's worst rail accident happened in June 1981 on the Mansi-Saharsa section between Badla Ghat and Dhamara Ghat; a passenger train fell into the river, killing over 800. East Central Railway, the country's largest zone (as stated), has its HQ at Hajipur.
⭐ Key Points
  • 12.8%.
  • 7.38%.
  • 8 February 1862.
  • CA 764 'Lady Curzon', 1899.
  • Nitish Kumar.
  • Lal Bahadur Shastri; Nitish Kumar was second.
  • Mansi-Saharsa, between Badla Ghat and Dhamara Ghat.
  • Hajipur.
📌 One-line Q&A
  • Question: What share of India's electrified rail routes is in Bihar? Answer: 12.8%.
  • Question: What share of new lines laid after independence were in Bihar? Answer: 7.38%.
  • Question: When was the full railway workshop facility developed at Jamalpur? Answer: 8 February 1862.
  • Question: What was the first locomotive built at Jamalpur? Answer: CA 764 'Lady Curzon'.
  • Question: Who was rail minister at the 150th anniversary of Indian Railways in 2003? Answer: Nitish Kumar.
  • Question: Who was the first rail minister to resign after a major accident? Answer: Lal Bahadur Shastri.
  • Question: The June 1981 rail disaster occurred on which section? Answer: Mansi-Saharsa.
  • Question: Where is the HQ of East Central Railway? Answer: Hajipur.
Topic
Questions

MCQs

Answer this question, then use Next.

Question 1: What share of India's electrified rail routes is in Bihar?

12.8%.

Question 2: What share of new lines laid after independence were in Bihar?

7.38%.

Question 3: When was the full railway workshop facility developed at Jamalpur?

8 February 1862.

Question 4: What was the first locomotive built at Jamalpur?

CA 764 'Lady Curzon', 1899.

Question 5: Who was rail minister at the 150th anniversary of Indian Railways in 2003?

Nitish Kumar.

Question 6: Who was the first rail minister to resign after a major accident?

Lal Bahadur Shastri; Nitish Kumar was second.

Question 7: The June 1981 rail disaster occurred on which section?

Mansi-Saharsa, between Badla Ghat and Dhamara Ghat.

Question 8: Where is the HQ of East Central Railway?

Hajipur.
Question 1 of 8

One-liners

Write your answer, then submit to see the correct answer.

What share of India's electrified rail routes is in Bihar?

12.8%.

What share of new lines laid after independence were in Bihar?

7.38%.

When was the full railway workshop facility developed at Jamalpur?

8 February 1862.

What was the first locomotive built at Jamalpur?

CA 764 'Lady Curzon'.

Who was rail minister at the 150th anniversary of Indian Railways in 2003?

Nitish Kumar.

Who was the first rail minister to resign after a major accident?

Lal Bahadur Shastri.

The June 1981 rail disaster occurred on which section?

Mansi-Saharsa.

Where is the HQ of East Central Railway?

Hajipur.
Question 1 of 8
Topic Part 1 of 2

Concept

Subtopic 3.2: Growth of Railways in Bihar

  • Rail transport in Bihar began in 1860-62, when the East India Company laid the main line along the Ganga to Calcutta.
  • It ran via Rajmahal (Jharkhand), Bhagalpur, Munger, Patna, Ara and Buxar to Mughalsarai. Later the Kiul-Jhajha-Asansol line was built and became part of the main line.
  • By the end of the 19th century the Patna-Gaya branch was built; then the Kiul-Gaya branch was extended to Mughalsarai.
  • To organise rail growth after independence, the government took over all main lines and reorganised them in 1952.
Growth of the railway network in Bihar
Figure: Growth of the railway network in Bihar
⭐ Key Points
  • 1860-62.
  • The East India Company.
  • Mughalsarai.
  • 1952.
  • Kiul-Jhajha-Asansol.
  • By the end of the 19th century.
📌 One-line Q&A
  • Question: When did rail transport begin in Bihar? Answer: 1860-62.
  • Question: Who laid the first main line through Bihar? Answer: East India Company.
  • Question: Up to which place was the first main line built? Answer: Mughalsarai.
  • Question: In which year were all main lines taken over and reorganised? Answer: 1952.
  • Question: Which line later became part of the main line? Answer: Kiul-Jhajha-Asansol.
  • Question: By when was the Patna-Gaya branch line built? Answer: End of the 19th century.
Topic
Questions

MCQs

Answer this question, then use Next.

Question 1: When did rail transport begin in Bihar?

1860-62.

Question 2: Who laid the first main line through Bihar?

The East India Company.

Question 3: Up to which place was the first main line built?

Mughalsarai.

Question 4: In which year were all main lines taken over and reorganised?

1952.

Question 5: Which line later became part of the main line?

Kiul-Jhajha-Asansol.

Question 6: By when was the Patna-Gaya branch line built?

By the end of the 19th century.
Question 1 of 6

One-liners

Write your answer, then submit to see the correct answer.

When did rail transport begin in Bihar?

1860-62.

Who laid the first main line through Bihar?

East India Company.

Up to which place was the first main line built?

Mughalsarai.

In which year were all main lines taken over and reorganised?

1952.

Which line later became part of the main line?

Kiul-Jhajha-Asansol.

By when was the Patna-Gaya branch line built?

End of the 19th century.
Question 1 of 6
Topic Part 1 of 2

Concept

Subtopic 3.3: Railway Zones, Network and Junctions

  • Rail in Bihar is run by North Eastern Railway (North Bihar), East Central Railway (South Bihar), South Eastern Railway (plateau part) and Northeast Frontier Railway (north-east Bihar).
  • ECR's HQ is at Hajipur. Bihar ranks fifth in India in rail transport; its network is 3,612 km (March 2011).
  • Converted to broad gauge: Muzaffarpur-Samastipur-Barauni-Katihar, Muzaffarpur-Chhapra-Siwan, Darbhanga-Samastipur, Samastipur-Hasanpur-Khagaria and Mansi-Saharsa.
  • Main junctions: Danapur, Rajendra Nagar Terminal, Patna, Gaya, Muzaffarpur, Barauni, Katihar, Bhagalpur and Samastipur.
Railway zones operating in Bihar
Figure: Railway zones operating in Bihar
⭐ Key Points
  • North Eastern Railway.
  • South Eastern Railway.
  • Fifth.
  • 3,612 km.
  • Northeast Frontier Railway.
  • Sasaram is not in the list.
📌 One-line Q&A
  • Question: Which railway zone serves North Bihar? Answer: North Eastern Railway.
  • Question: Which zone serves the plateau part of Bihar? Answer: South Eastern.
  • Question: What is Bihar's rank in India in rail transport? Answer: Fifth.
  • Question: What was Bihar's rail network length in March 2011? Answer: 3,612 km.
  • Question: Which zone serves north-east Bihar? Answer: Northeast Frontier Railway.
  • Question: Which of these is NOT listed as a main junction of Bihar? Answer: Sasaram.
Topic
Questions

MCQs

Answer this question, then use Next.

Question 1: Which railway zone serves North Bihar?

North Eastern Railway.

Question 2: Which zone serves the plateau part of Bihar?

South Eastern Railway.

Question 3: What is Bihar's rank in India in rail transport?

Fifth.

Question 4: What was Bihar's rail network length in March 2011?

3,612 km.

Question 5: Which zone serves north-east Bihar?

Northeast Frontier Railway.

Question 6: Which of these is NOT listed as a main junction of Bihar?

Sasaram is not in the list.
Question 1 of 6

One-liners

Write your answer, then submit to see the correct answer.

Which railway zone serves North Bihar?

North Eastern Railway.

Which zone serves the plateau part of Bihar?

South Eastern.

What is Bihar's rank in India in rail transport?

Fifth.

What was Bihar's rail network length in March 2011?

3,612 km.

Which zone serves north-east Bihar?

Northeast Frontier Railway.

Which of these is NOT listed as a main junction of Bihar?

Sasaram.
Question 1 of 6
Topic Part 1 of 2

Concept

Subtopic 3.4: Rail Bridges Under Construction

  • Current position (2026): all three bridges are complete: the Digha-Sonpur rail bridge (J.P. Setu, 2016), the Munger rail-cum-road bridge (Shri Krishna Setu; rail 2016, road 2022) and the Kosi Rail Mahasetu (Nirmali-Saraigarh, dedicated on 18 September 2020).
  • Three big rail bridges are being built: two on the Ganga at Munger and Patna, and one on the Kosi at Nirmali.
  • The Ganga rail bridge at Patna will link Digha Ghat with Sonpur; the rail-cum-road bridge at Munger will connect South and North Bihar and the north-east.
  • The third, costing ₹323 crore on the Kosi, will link Nirmali and Bhaptiahi. PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee laid its foundation on 6 June 2003 at Nirmali (Supaul), with rail minister Nitish Kumar present.
  • All three are being built under the National Rail Vikas Yojana.
⭐ Key Points
  • J.P. Setu (Jayaprakash Narayan), opened 2016.
  • Nirmali-Saraigarh (Supaul), dedicated in 2020.
  • Sonpur.
  • ₹323 crore.
  • Bhaptiahi.
  • 6 June 2003, by PM Vajpayee.
  • National Rail Vikas Yojana.
  • Munger.
📌 One-line Q&A
  • Question: The Digha-Sonpur rail bridge over the Ganga is named: Answer: J.P. Setu.
  • Question: The Kosi Rail Mahasetu links: Answer: Nirmali and Saraigarh.
  • Question: The Patna Ganga rail bridge will link Digha Ghat with which place? Answer: Sonpur.
  • Question: What is the cost of the Kosi rail mega-bridge? Answer: ₹323 crore.
  • Question: The Kosi mega-bridge links Nirmali with which place? Answer: Bhaptiahi.
  • Question: When was the foundation stone of the Kosi rail bridge laid? Answer: 6 June 2003.
  • Question: Under which scheme are the three rail bridges being built? Answer: National Rail Vikas Yojana.
  • Question: Where will the rail-cum-road bridge on the Ganga (besides Patna) be built? Answer: Munger.
Topic
Questions

MCQs

Answer this question, then use Next.

Question 1: The Digha-Sonpur rail bridge over the Ganga is named:

J.P. Setu (Jayaprakash Narayan), opened 2016.

Question 2: The Kosi Rail Mahasetu links:

Nirmali-Saraigarh (Supaul), dedicated in 2020.

Question 3: The Patna Ganga rail bridge will link Digha Ghat with which place?

Sonpur.

Question 4: What is the cost of the Kosi rail mega-bridge?

₹323 crore.

Question 5: The Kosi mega-bridge links Nirmali with which place?

Bhaptiahi.

Question 6: When was the foundation stone of the Kosi rail bridge laid?

6 June 2003, by PM Vajpayee.

Question 7: Under which scheme are the three rail bridges being built?

National Rail Vikas Yojana.

Question 8: Where will the rail-cum-road bridge on the Ganga (besides Patna) be built?

Munger.
Question 1 of 8

One-liners

Write your answer, then submit to see the correct answer.

The Digha-Sonpur rail bridge over the Ganga is named:

J.P. Setu.

The Kosi Rail Mahasetu links:

Nirmali and Saraigarh.

The Patna Ganga rail bridge will link Digha Ghat with which place?

Sonpur.

What is the cost of the Kosi rail mega-bridge?

₹323 crore.

The Kosi mega-bridge links Nirmali with which place?

Bhaptiahi.

When was the foundation stone of the Kosi rail bridge laid?

6 June 2003.

Under which scheme are the three rail bridges being built?

National Rail Vikas Yojana.

Where will the rail-cum-road bridge on the Ganga (besides Patna) be built?

Munger.
Question 1 of 8
Topic Part 1 of 2

Concept

Subtopic 3.5: Proposed Rail Schemes and Patna Metro

  • Current position (2025): Patna Metro began service on its priority corridor on 6-7 October 2025: an elevated stretch of about 3.5 km from Patliputra Bus Terminal (ISBT) via Zero Mile to Bhoothnath. The full network has two lines, the Blue Line (14.56 km) and the Red Line (16.86 km), with 24 stations. The rail wheel plant at Bela (Saran) is in production, and the railway outlay for Bihar is ₹10,066 crore (2025-26).
  • A rail wheel factory at Belapur (Saran/Chhapra), built for US$ 258 million, began trial production in March 2012. ₹82 crore will modernise the country's largest integrated rail workshop at Jamalpur.
  • The ailing Bharat Wagon factories at Mokama and Muzaffarpur have been taken over by the railways.
  • Proposals: a Buxar-Ara-Mokama third line, approval to electrify Barauni-Katihar-Guwahati, foot-over-bridges on all high-level platforms of 'B' and 'D' class stations, longer platforms at a dozen stations, lifts-escalators at Patna Jn, and new lines Kursela-Bihariganj, Gaya-Daltonganj, Muzaffarpur-Darbhanga, Jalalgarh-Kishanganj.
  • Patna Metro Phase 1: Corridor-1A Danapur-Mithapur/Bypass Chowk (14.5 km); 1B Digha-High Court link (5.5 km); Corridor-2 Patna Jn-Dak Bungalow-ISBT Agamkuan/Gandhi Setu (16 km).
  • Phase 2: Corridor-3 Bypass Chowk/Mithapur-Didarganj (13 km). Phase 3: Corridor-4 Bypass Chowk/Mithapur-Phulwarisharif/AIIMS (11 km).
Corridors of the Patna Metro Rail project (km)
Figure: Corridors of the Patna Metro Rail project (km)
⭐ Key Points
  • Inaugurated 6 October 2025; service from 7 October.
  • Bhoothnath, via Zero Mile.
  • Belapur (as printed).
  • US$ 258 million.
  • ₹82 crore.
  • Mokama and Muzaffarpur.
  • Corridor-2: Patna Jn-ISBT/Gandhi Setu, 16 km.
  • Bypass Chowk/Mithapur-Didarganj, 13 km (Phase 2).
  • Buxar-Ara-Mokama third line.
📌 One-line Q&A
  • Question: When did Patna Metro start passenger service? Answer: October 2025.
  • Question: Patna Metro's first operational stretch runs from Patliputra Bus Terminal to: Answer: Bhoothnath.
  • Question: Where is the rail wheel factory in Saran district? Answer: Belapur.
  • Question: What did the rail wheel factory cost? Answer: US$ 258 million.
  • Question: How much will be spent on modernising the Jamalpur workshop? Answer: ₹82 crore.
  • Question: Bharat Wagon factories at which places were taken over by the railways? Answer: Mokama and Muzaffarpur.
  • Question: Which is the longest Patna Metro corridor? Answer: 2 (16 km).
  • Question: Patna Metro Corridor-3 runs between which points? Answer: Mithapur-Didarganj.
  • Question: Which third rail line is proposed? Answer: Buxar-Ara-Mokama.
Topic
Questions

MCQs

Answer this question, then use Next.

Question 1: When did Patna Metro start passenger service?

Inaugurated 6 October 2025; service from 7 October.

Question 2: Patna Metro's first operational stretch runs from Patliputra Bus Terminal to:

Bhoothnath, via Zero Mile.

Question 3: Where is the rail wheel factory in Saran district?

Belapur (as printed).

Question 4: What did the rail wheel factory cost?

US$ 258 million.

Question 5: How much will be spent on modernising the Jamalpur workshop?

₹82 crore.

Question 6: Bharat Wagon factories at which places were taken over by the railways?

Mokama and Muzaffarpur.

Question 7: Which is the longest Patna Metro corridor?

Corridor-2: Patna Jn-ISBT/Gandhi Setu, 16 km.

Question 8: Patna Metro Corridor-3 runs between which points?

Bypass Chowk/Mithapur-Didarganj, 13 km (Phase 2).

Question 9: Which third rail line is proposed?

Buxar-Ara-Mokama third line.
Question 1 of 9

One-liners

Write your answer, then submit to see the correct answer.

When did Patna Metro start passenger service?

October 2025.

Patna Metro's first operational stretch runs from Patliputra Bus Terminal to:

Bhoothnath.

Where is the rail wheel factory in Saran district?

Belapur.

What did the rail wheel factory cost?

US$ 258 million.

How much will be spent on modernising the Jamalpur workshop?

₹82 crore.

Bharat Wagon factories at which places were taken over by the railways?

Mokama and Muzaffarpur.

Which is the longest Patna Metro corridor?

2 (16 km).

Patna Metro Corridor-3 runs between which points?

Mithapur-Didarganj.

Which third rail line is proposed?

Buxar-Ara-Mokama.
Question 1 of 9