Bihar Gets ₹10,000 Crore Railway Boost for Inclusive Growth
The rapid expansion of railway infrastructure across Bihar has come at a human cost, with more than 60,000 landowners directly affected by land acquisition for new railway routes, according to official disclosures in Parliament. While this development signals a major leap in connectivity and investment for the state, it has also raised serious concerns about compensation, relocation, and the future of marginal landowners, especially in agrarian districts. The increase in railway budget from ₹1,132 crore to over ₹10,000 crore in a decade underscores the massive scale of expansion, which is transforming both urban and rural land use across Bihar.
The government’s claim of inclusive infrastructure growth through initiatives such as the Amrit Bharat trains and inter-district rail links comes alongside the displacement of farmers and tribal households. In Sitamarhi and Sheohar districts, where the Sheohar–Sitamarhi railway project is progressing, around 18,000 individuals have lost land. A bridge over the Bagmati River connecting Dekuli Dham is also under construction, with ₹557 crore sanctioned for the project. Yet, residents say consultations were limited, and some are still awaiting full compensation, raising questions over the transparency and fairness of land acquisition processes. Officials argue that the long-term benefits outweigh temporary disruptions, citing new routes like Patna–Delhi and Darbhanga–Bengaluru now serviced by the affordable Amrit Bharat trains. These routes are expected to improve connectivity for low-income groups and migrant workers.
However, residents impacted by land acquisition say they have been excluded from decisions. Several households in the path of upcoming rail corridors reported losing fertile land without being offered rehabilitation or alternative employment opportunities, increasing fears of long-term economic vulnerability and forced urban migration. Experts emphasise that infrastructure development should not ignore the equity dimension. “If growth is to be sustainable, it must not displace the same populations it claims to uplift,” said a transport policy analyst. The scale of disruption caused by the railway expansion—especially in districts dependent on subsistence farming—demands a more nuanced compensation model, including long-term social support and public consultation. Bihar’s infrastructure gains must balance speed with social justice, or risk deepening rural distress.
Railway officials claim that most compensation has been processed and that the projects are being executed under existing legal frameworks, including land pooling mechanisms. However, civil society groups and advocacy networks argue that the mechanisms for appeals, grievance redressal, and legal awareness are weak, especially among marginalised communities. In an era where smart and sustainable mobility is being prioritised, Bihar’s railway expansion must become a case study not just in engineering success but also in equitable development.
