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{{short description|Railway line in East India, connecting Tatanagar, Jharkhand, with Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2016}}
{{Use Indian English|date=January 2016}}
{{Infobox rail line
| box_width = 28em
| name = Tatanagar–Bilaspur section
| color = 800000
| logo =
| logo_width =
| image = Rourkela junction Railway Station.jpg
| image_width =
| caption = Rourkela Junction an important Railway Station on Tatanagar–Bilaspur section
| type =
| system = Electrified
| status = Operational
| locale = [[Jharkhand]], [[Odisha]], [[Chhattisgarh]]
| start = [[Tatanagar railway station|Tatanagar]]
| end = [[Bilaspur railway station|Bilaspur]]
| stations =
| routes =
| open =
| close =
| electrification = Yes
| owner = [[Indian Railways]]
| operator = [[South Eastern Railway zone|South Eastern Railway]], [[South East Central Railway zone|South East Central Railway]], [[East Coast Railway zone|East Coast Railway]]
| character =
| depot =
| stock =
| linelength =
| tracklength = Main line: {{convert|468|km|mi|0|abbr=on}} Branch lines: Champa–Gevra Road: {{convert|50|km|mi|0|abbr=on}} Bondamunda–Barsuan: {{convert|70|km|mi|0|abbr=on}} Rajkharswan–Gua: {{convert|106|km|mi|0|abbr=on}} Padapahar–Jakhapura: {{convert|224|km|mi|0|abbr=on}}
| gauge = {{Track gauge|5ft6in|lk=on}} [[broad gauge]]
| minradius =
| racksystem =
| speed =
| elevation =
| website =
| map = {{Tatanagar–Bilaspur section}}
| map_state = collapsed
}}

The '''Tatanagar–Bilaspur section''' is part of the [[Howrah–Nagpur–Mumbai line]] and connects {{stnlnk|Tatanagar Junction||Tatanagar}} in the [[India|Indian]] state of [[Jharkhand]] and {{stnlnk|Bilaspur Junction||Bilaspur}} in [[Chhattisgarh]]. Part of one of the major trunk lines in the country, it passes through an industrial-mining area and handles high volumes of freight, particularly [[coal]] and [[iron ore]].

==Geography==
The Tatanagar–Bilaspur section of Howrah–Nagpur–Mumbai line passes through the [[Saranda forest]] on the [[Chota Nagpur Plateau]] in southern [[Jharkhand]]. The area through which it passes includes portions of northern [[Odisha]] and northern [[Chhattisgarh]], with topography similar to that of the Chota Nagpur Plateau. It is generally forested area amidst hills alternating with valleys. The major rivers flowing through the area are: [[Subarnarekha River|Subarnarekha]], [[Kharkai River|Kharkai]], [[South Karo River|South Karo]], [[South Koel River|South Koel]], [[Sankh River|Sankh]], [[Brahmani River|Brahmani]], [[Ib River|Ib]], [[Mand River|Mand]] and [[Hasdeo River|Hasdeo]]. While the eastern portion of this line connects to iron ore mines spread on both sides of the Jharkhand–Odisha border, the western portion caters to the [[Ib Valley Coalfield]] in Odisha and the [[Korba Coalfield]] in Chhattisgarh. There are three steel plants in the area: the [[Jamshedpur]] Works of [[Tata Steel]], [[Rourkela Steel Plant]] of [[Steel Authority of India|SAIL]] and [[Jindal Steel and Power]] at [[Raigarh]]. [[Bharat Aluminium Company]] has its plant at Korba. There are several engineering units on this line, as for example [[Tata Motors]] at Jamshedpur, Tata Growth Shop and [[Tayo Rolls]] at [[Adityapur]], and [[Larsen & Toubro]] at [[Kansbahal]]. The line extends support to numerous cement plants, power plants, refractory units, ferro alloy plants and a paper mill.<ref name=bondamunda>{{cite web| url = http://www.ser.indianrailways.gov.in/view_section.jsp?lang=0&id=0,6,400,659 |title = Chakradharpur Division| publisher= South Eastern Railway| access-date = 2012-11-10}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url = http://bilaspur.nic.in/Glance.html |title =Bilaspur – the pride of Chhattisgarh | publisher= Bilaspur district administration | access-date = 2012-11-10 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://korba.gov.in/ataglancefs.htm | title = Korba – the Power Hub of Chhattisgarh | publisher = Korba district administration | access-date = 2012-11-10 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121017233743/http://korba.gov.in/ataglancefs.htm | archive-date = 17 October 2012 | df = dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.orissatourism.gov.in/rourkela.html| title = Explore Orissa – the soul of India| publisher = Orissa Tourism| access-date = 2012-11-10| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121104080743/http://www.orissatourism.gov.in/rourkela.html| archive-date = 4 November 2012| df = dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://ordistricts.nic.in/district_home.php?did=kjr | title = The District Portal of Kendujhar | publisher = Kendujhar district administration | access-date = 2012-11-10 | archive-date = 10 October 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121010232750/http://ordistricts.nic.in/district_home.php?did=kjr | url-status = dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url = http://sundergarh.nic.in/geography.html |title =Sundergarh District |work= Geography and Physical Features| publisher= Sundergarh district administration| access-date = 2012-11-10}}</ref>

[[Kalinganagar]] is an upcoming industrial hub in [[Odisha]].<ref>{{cite web| url = http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2010-12-24/news/27604436_1_steel-units-iron-ore-orissa-mining-corporation | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160305092530/http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2010-12-24/news/27604436_1_steel-units-iron-ore-orissa-mining-corporation | url-status = dead | archive-date = 5 March 2016 |title = Orissa promises New Year bailout package to steel units in Kalinga Nagar|last=Patnaik|first= Nageshwar| work= The Economic Times|date=24 December 2010| access-date = 2012-11-10 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.orissalinks.com/orissagrowth/archives/4020 |title = Vision Kalinganagar : To be developed for a population of 10 lakhs by 2025| access-date = 2012-11-10}}</ref>

==History==
The [[Howrah–Allahabad–Mumbai line]], a joint effort of [[Great Indian Peninsula Railway]] and [[East Indian Railway Company]] came up in 1870.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.irfca.org/faq/faq-history2.html | title = IR History: Early Days – II | work = Chronology of railways in India, Part 2 (1870–1899)| access-date = 2012-11-10 }}</ref> The [[Bengal Nagpur Railway]] was formed in 1887 for the purpose of upgrading the [[Nagpur Chhattisgarh Railway]] and then extending it via [[Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh|Bilaspur]] to [[Asansol Junction|Asansol]], in order to develop a shorter Howrah–Mumbai route than the one via Allahabad.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://railwaysofraj.blogspot.in/2011/08/number-1-down-mail.html |title = Number 1 Down Mail| publisher= Railways of the Raj| access-date = 2012-11-10 }}</ref> The Bengal Nagpur Railway main line from Nagpur to Asansol, on the [[Howrah–Delhi main line]], was opened for goods traffic on 1 February 1891.<ref name=ser>{{cite web|url=http://www.ser.indianrailways.gov.in/view_section.jsp?lang=0&id=0,1|title=Major Events in the Formation of S.E. Railway|publisher=South Eastern Railway|access-date=2012-11-10|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130401151628/http://www.ser.indianrailways.gov.in/view_section.jsp?lang=0&id=0%2C1|archive-date=1 April 2013|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

One of the last hurdles for the track was construction of the Saranda Tunnel. It was completed on 1 October 1892.<ref name=ser/> The tunnel pierces the narrow divide between the [[Subarnarekha River|Subarnarekha]] and the [[Brahmani River|Brahmani]] basins.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.jharkhandforest.com/files/Chaibasa_Introduction.pdf | title = The West Singhbhum District | work = River System | access-date = 2012-11-10 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110713104524/http://www.jharkhandforest.com/files/Chaibasa_Introduction.pdf | archive-date = 13 July 2011 | df = dmy-all }}</ref>

The {{convert|50.70|km|mi|0|abbr=on}} long {{Track gauge|5ft6in|lk=on}} [[broad gauge]] Champa–Korba–Gevra Road branch line was constructed between 1953 and 1956.<ref name=newline>{{cite book| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=v21-4YYgocUC&q=Muri-Chandrapura+line&pg=PA60 |title = Transport Geography of India: Commodity Flow and the Regional Structure of Indian Economy| work= page 60|last= Moonis Raza & Yash Aggarwal|year = 1986|publisher= Concept Publishing Company, A-15/16 Commercial Block, Mohan Garden, New Delhi – 110059| isbn = 81-7022-089-0|access-date = 2 May 2013}}</ref>

===Railway reorganization===
The [[Bengal Nagpur Railway]] was nationalized in 1944.<ref name=ser/>[[Eastern Railway zone|Eastern Railway]] was formed on 14 April 1952 with the portion of [[East Indian Railway Company]] east of [[Mughalsarai]] and the Bengal Nagpur Railway.<ref name=zones>{{cite web| url = http://www.irfca.org/faq/faq-geog.html#newzone |title = Geography – Railway Zones| publisher= IRFCA| access-date = 2012-11-21 }}</ref> In 1955, [[South Eastern Railway zone|South Eastern Railway]] was carved out of Eastern Railway. It comprised lines mostly operated by BNR earlier.<ref name=zones/><ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.irfca.org/faq/faq-history4.html |title = IR History: Part - IV (1947 - 1970)| publisher= IRFCA| access-date = 2012-11-21}}</ref> Amongst the new zones started in April 2003 were [[East Coast Railway zone|East Coast Railway]] and [[South East Central Railway zone|South East Central Railway]]. Both these railways were carved out of South Eastern Railway.<ref name=zones/>

===Jurisdiction===
The mainline from Tatanagar to Jharsuguda, and all branch lines within this portion except Juruli–Jakhapura section are within the jurisdiction of Chakradharpur railway division of South Eastern Railway. The Ib–Bilaspur section of the mainline is under the jurisdiction of Bilaspur railway division of South East Central Railway. Juruli–Jakhapura section is under the jurisdiction of East Coast railway.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.ser.indianrailways.gov.in/view_section.jsp?lang=0&id=0,2,406,453,465 |title = Jurisdiction of railway divisions| publisher= South Eastern Railway | access-date = 2012-11-21}}</ref>

===Movement of steel plant raw materials===
''[[Frontline (magazine)|Frontline]]'' paid rich tributes to Bengal Nagpur Railway/South Eastern Railway:<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.hindu.com/fline/fl2208/stories/20050422001510000.htm |title = South Eastern Railway – A Saga of Performance |last=Chattopadhyay |first=Suhrid Sankar | work= Frontline|volume=22|issue=8, 12–25 March 2005| access-date = 2012-11-25 }}</ref>

"As it expanded its network at a rapid pace to help in the exploitation of the rich mineral resources in the region. New lines were laid and connections made to facilitate the movement of iron ore to the new steel plants – TISCO and IISCO at Tatanagar and Burnpur respectively. To tap the coal reserves in Jharia, a {{convert|115|mi|km|adj=mid|-long}} line connecting Midnapore with Bhojudih was set up in 1903 and extended to Gomoh in 1907. In 1922, the Talcher coalfields were linked by a rail line taking off from Nergundi on the East Coast. The Raipur-Vizianagaram link was completed in 1931, connecting the East Coast with the Central Province. Following these developments, the BNR Company owned the largest narrow gauge network in the country…
"As independent India embarked on a policy of rapid industrialisation, the SER took upon the task of moving raw materials by constructing new lines from plants to the mine heads at Dallhirajra, Ahiwara, Barsuan, Kiriburu and Meghataburu. Doubling of sections and progressive electrification were taken up along with the setting up of marshalling yards and exchange yards to meet the demands of the steel sector."

==Electrification==
The entire line is [[Central Organization for Railway Electrification|electrified]] but that came in stages.<ref name=bondamunda/> The Purulia–Chakradharpur, Kandra–Gomharria, Sini–Adityapur, Adityapur–Tatanagar, Chakradharpur–Manoharpur and Manoharpur–Rourkela sections were electrified in 1961–62. The Rourkela–Jharsuguda, Jharsuguda–Raigarh and Raigarh–Bilaspur sections were electrified in 1969–70.<ref name=electric>{{cite web| url = http://irfca.org/docs/electrification-history.html|title = History of Electrification| publisher= IRFCA| access-date = 2012-11-10 }}</ref>

Amongst the branch lines the Rajkharsawan–Dangoaposi section was electrified in 1960–61. It was extended to Noamundi in 1965–66. The Padapahar–Deojhar and Noamundi–Barajamda sections were electrified in 1966–67, and the same year electrification was extended to Gua and Bolanikhadan.<ref name=electric/> The branch line between Rajkharswan and Dongoaposi was amongst the first routes on the Indian Railways to be electrified with 25 kV-AC traction.<ref name=bondamunda/>

The Bondamunda–Lathikata and Lathikata–Chandiposh sections were electrified in 1996–97 and electrification was extended to Bimalagarh in 1997–1998. It was further extended to Barsuan and Rangra the same year.<ref name=electric/>

The Rourkela–Biramitrapur section was electrified in 1964–65.<ref name=electric/>

The Champa–Korba section was electrified in 1987–88 and electrification was extended to Gevra Road in 1988–89.<ref name=electric/>

==Passenger movement==
[[Tatanagar Railway Station|Tatanagar]], [[Rourkela railway station|Rourkela]] and [[Bilaspur railway station|Bilaspur]] on this line are amongst the top hundred booking stations of Indian Railway.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indianrail.gov.in/7days_Avl.html |title=Indian Railways Passenger Reservation Enquiry |work=Availability in trains for Top 100 Booking Stations of Indian Railways |publisher=IRFCA |access-date=2012-11-21 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140510115649/http://www.indianrail.gov.in/7days_Avl.html |archive-date=10 May 2014 }}</ref>

==Freight traffic==

===Iron ore===
Iron ore is the second largest commodity moved by the railways in India, accounting for 16% of total freight traffic. (Coal is number one with a 43% share). 116 million million tonnes of iron ore was moved in 2006–07 which included 38.84 million tonnes of iron ore for export.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.slideshare.net/kishorekamisetti/logistics-of-iron-ore-transportationcilt |title = Logistics of Iron Ore Transportation in India|last=KK Kumar| date=31 March 2009 | publisher=slideshare | access-date = 2012-11-10}}</ref>

In 2010–11 South-East Railway earned Rs 8,187 crore in freight charges, of which Rs 5,135 crore was from iron ore transportation.<ref name = ore/> Apart from domestic consumption, iron ore from the mines in Odisha and Jharkhand is exported through Haldia, Visakhapatnam, Paradeep and Gangavaram ports.<ref name = ore>{{cite web| url = http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-10-06/india/30250269_1_iron-ore-railway-freight-indian-railways | archive-url = https://archive.today/20130103130518/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-10-06/india/30250269_1_iron-ore-railway-freight-indian-railways | url-status = dead | archive-date = 3 January 2013 |title = Railways losing thousands of crores in ore fraud|date=6 October 2011| work = [[The Times of India]] | access-date = 2012-11-10}}</ref>

Bengal Iron and Steel Co. started iron mining at Pansiraburu in their Duia mines in 1901. Initially the iron ore was transported over hilly terrain and through thick forests in bullock carts to the nearest rail head at Manoharpur. The ore was consumed in the [[Kulti]] Works, which then produced iron. In 1910, the ''Manoharpur Light Railway'' was built from Manoharpur to the foot of Pansira Buru. It was extended to Chiria in 1916.<ref>N. R. Srinivasan, ''History of The Indian Iron and Steel Company'', 1983, PR Deptt, IISCO, p.46.</ref> A {{convert|64|km|mi|0|abbr=on}} branch line from Tatanagar to [[Gorumahisani]] (on the [[Asansol–Tatanagar–Kharagpur line]]) was opened to traffic in 1911 mainly for transportation of iron ore.<ref name=ser/> The Rajkharswan–Dongoaposi line was opened in 1924 and extended to Gua in 1925, primarily to transport iron ore and manganese ore for [[IISCO Steel Plant]] at Burnpur.<ref name=ser/> In 1936, the ''Manoharpur Light Railway'' owned 34 locomotives, 5 railcars and 360 goods wagons.<ref>{{cite book |title=World Survey of Foreign Railways |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HxHLQGfxDa0C&pg=RA16-PA23 |year=1936 |publisher=Transportation Division, Bureau of foreign and domestic commerce, Washington D.C.|language=English |page=226b}}</ref>

Tata Steel started the iron mines at [[Noamundi]] in 1925 and that has been the major source of its iron ore for many years. It has also been getting iron ore from its Joda mines for around half a century.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.tatasteelindia.com/rawmaterials/miningproducts/ironore.htm#topic1 | title = Raw Materials | work = Iron ore mining | publisher = Tata Steel | access-date = 2012-11-10 | archive-date = 31 March 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120331120015/http://www.tatasteelindia.com/rawmaterials/miningproducts/ironore.htm#topic1 | url-status = dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://ibm.nic.in/illegalmining_orissastate.htm | title = Task Force Inspections of Odisha Mines | publisher = Indian Bureau of Mines | access-date = 2012-11-10 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121026113959/http://ibm.nic.in/illegalmining_orissastate.htm | archive-date = 26 October 2012 | df = dmy-all }}</ref> The {{convert|28.05|km|mi|0|abbr=on}} long {{Track gauge|5ft6in|lk=on}} [[broad gauge]] Noamundi–Banspani line was constructed between 1956 and 1958.<ref name=newline/>

The Jhakpura–Daitari line was opened for traffic in 1977<ref name=ser/> and the Banspani–Tomka line was added in 1998.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.adb.org/projects/documents/banspani-tomka-new-railway-line-siee |title = Banspani Tomka new railway line| date=20 August 1998 | publisher=Asian Development Bank | access-date = 2012-11-10}}</ref>

Rourkela was connected to Barsuan iron ore mines (the township is [[Tensa]]) in 1960 and the line was extended to Kiriburu in 1963.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://rourkelarail.wetpaint.com/page/BONDAMUNDA+JUNCTION | title = Bondamunda Junction | access-date = 2012-11-13 | archive-date = 14 April 2010 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100414042120/http://rourkelarail.wetpaint.com/page/BONDAMUNDA%2BJUNCTION | url-status = dead }}</ref>

Barsuan, commissioned in 1960, [[Kiriburu]], commissioned in 1964, [[Meghahatuburu]], commissioned in 1985, and Bolani, commissioned in 1960, are iron ore mines on this track administered by the Raw Materials Division of [[Steel Authority of India]]. Numerous private operators are engaged in iron ore mining, quite often for exports.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.rungtamines.com/html/about.htm | title = Rungta Mines | access-date = 2012-11-10 | archive-date = 11 July 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120711143115/http://www.rungtamines.com/html/about.htm | url-status = dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.esselmining.com/ |title = Creating Value. Touching Lives |work= Essel Mining and Industries Limited| publisher= Aditya Birla Group | access-date = 2012-11-10}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url =http://www.dnaindia.com/money/report_adhunik-to-float-mining-arm-raise-rs1000-crore_1757237|title = Adhunik to float mining arm, to raise Rs. 1,000 crore| work= DNA|date=29 October 2012 | access-date = 2012-11-10}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://aryanmining.in/about.asp | title = Aryan Mining & Trading Corporation Pvt. Ltd. | publisher = Aryan Group | access-date = 2012-11-10 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120919095834/http://aryanmining.in/about.asp | archive-date = 19 September 2012 | df = dmy-all }}</ref>

Construction of the line between Jakhapura, on the Howrah–Chennai line, and Daitari was sanctioned in 1976–77. It was commissioned in 1981. The {{convert|152|km|mi|0|abbr=on|adj=mid|-long}} Daitari–Banspani line was sanctioned in 1992–93 to facilitate transportation of iron ore for export through [[Paradip Port]]. The Banspani–Kendujhar section was operational in 2004. The Kendujhar–Tomka section was operational in 2007. Passenger trains started plying on this route in 2009.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.thehindubusinessline.in/2002/02/12/stories/2002021200520600.htm |title = Daitari-Keonjhar-Banspani line – Early completion of rail project stressed|last= Dey|first= Nilanjan| work=The Hindu Business Line|date=12 February 2002 | access-date = 2012-11-10 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://wiki.iricen.gov.in/doku/lib/exe/fetch.php?media=821:3regrading.pdf | title = Up gradation of existing Jakhapura-Daitari line | access-date = 2012-11-10 | archive-date = 4 March 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160304141717/http://wiki.iricen.gov.in/doku/lib/exe/fetch.php?media=821:3regrading.pdf | url-status = dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.eastcoastrail.indianrailways.gov.in/uploads/files/1302602442445-Daitari-Banspani.pdf|title = Daitari-Banspani | publisher= East Coast Railway| access-date = 2012-11-10}}</ref>

===Coal===
The Gevra mine of the [[Korba Coalfield]], the largest open cast mine in Asia, is served by the Champa–Gevra Road branch line.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://korba.nic.in/kwMines.htm| title = Korba – the land of black diamond, kosa silk and thermal power| work = Mineral Resources| publisher = Korba district administration| access-date = 2012-11-10| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110721172537/http://korba.nic.in/kwMines.htm| archive-date = 21 July 2011| df = dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite book | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=ssFDjw_wKu8C&q=Gevra+largest&pg=PA413 | title = Geoenvironmental reclamation: International Symposium | work = p. 413| isbn = 9789058092199 |access-date = 2012-11-10| last1 = Paithankar | first1 = A. G. | last2 = Agarwal | first2 = R. K. | last3 = Jha | first3 = Pramod Kumar | date = January 2001 | publisher = A.A. Balkema }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.2space.net/news/article.php?art=244909&ut=1260165004 | title = Miners work at the Gevra coalmines in the central Indian state ...| publisher = Space |access-date = 2012-11-10}}</ref><ref>{{citation | url = http://www.larsentoubro.com/lntcorporate/cmb/pdf/EMN_Jan-Mar_09.pdf | title = L&T delivers HD 785 dump trucks to SECL| work = L&T Earthmover News| publisher = Larsen & Toubro | date=January–March 2009 | volume = 22|number=1 |access-date = 2012-11-10}}</ref><ref name=hblcoal>{{cite web| url = http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/logistics/article3669923.ece |title = Improve Railways' coal delivery for better returns|last= Sanyal|first=Santanu | work=The Hindu Business Line|date=22 July 2012| access-date = 2012-11-10}}</ref> As of 2011 Gevra mine had a capacity of 35 million tonnes per annum and along with Dipka and Kusmunda mine the area had a total annual capacity of 70 million tonnes.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.cpcb.nic.in/divisionsofheadoffice/ess/Korba.pdf | title = Action Plan – Development of Comprehensive Environmental Pollution Abatement Action Plan for Critically Polluted Area Korba| work = January 2011| publisher = Chhattisgarh Environment Conservation Board |access-date = 2012-11-10}}</ref>

The 2010 production level of the [[Ib Valley Coalfield]], served by this line, was 38 million tonnes but was expected to rise sharply over the years.<ref name=hblcoal/><ref>{{cite web | url =http://www.infraline.com/Details/Master-Plan-of-IB-Valley-Coalfield-of-MCL-July-2010-174906.htm | title = Master Plan of Ib Valley Coalfield of MCL (July 2010)| publisher = Infraline Energy|access-date = 2012-11-10}}</ref>

The [[Mand Raigarh Coalfield]] does not have a rail link (as of 2012). Construction of the {{convert|180|km|mi|0|abbr=on|adj=mid|-long}} Bhupdeopur–Korichhapar/Baroud–Dharamjaygarh with an extension up to the Champa–Korba branch line is essential for the transportation of around 100 million tonnes of coal planned annually from Mand Raigarh Coalfield. [[South Eastern Coalfields Limited]] will fund this project. Construction of the {{convert|52|km|mi|0|abbr=on}} long Jharsuguda–Barpalli rail line is essential for transportation of coal from the Ib Valley Coalfield with a potential of 90 million tonnes per annum. [[Mahanadi Coalfields Limited]] will fund this project.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.thehindu.com/business/Industry/290-mt-coal-evacuation-hampered-due-to-lack-of-rail-infrastructure/article3926686.ece?css=print|title = 290 MT Coal evacuation hampered due to lack of rail infrastructure|last=Mehdudia |first=Sujay| work=The Hindu Business Line|date=22 September 2012| access-date = 2012-11-10}}</ref>

[[South East Central Railway zone|South East Central Railway]], the railway zone handling coal transportation mentioned above, is the largest freight-loading zonal railway in India. It handled a revenue-earning freight traffic of 150.7 million tonnes in 2011–12 and the coal throughput was 112.5 million tonnes (against 104.4 million tonnes in the previous financial year).<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/logistics/southeast-central-railway-posts-7-growth-in-freight-loading-in-201112/article3297227.ece |title = South-East Central Railway posts 7% growth in freight loading in 2011-12 |last= Sanyal|first=Santanu | work=The Hindu Business Line|date=9 April 2012| access-date = 2012-11-10}}</ref>

==Speed limits==
The entire Howrah–Nagpur–Mumbai line is classified as a "Group A" line which can take speeds up to 130 km/h. The Rajakharshwan–Dongoaposi–Padapahar–Barajamda–Gua, Bondamunda–Bimlagarh–Barsuan–Kiriburu, Kandra–Gamharria, Champa–Gevra Road and Padapahar–Banspani branch lines are classified as "Group E Special" lines where traffic density is very high or likely to grow substantially in future and the present sanctioned speed is less than 100 km/h.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.indianrailways.gov.in/railwayboard/uploads/codesmanual/IRPWM/PermanentWayManualCh2_data.htm |title = Chapter II – The Maintenance of Permanent Way| access-date = 2012-11-10}}</ref>

==New line surveys==
New line surveys of Indian Railway to be taken up during 2012–13 in this section include Champa–Abhimanpur bypass line, Bilaspur–Dongargarh via Uslapur Mungeli, Korba–Ranchi, Renukoot–Korba via Ambikapur Katghora, Bilaspur–Gatora–Dipka–Katghora, Pendra–Gevra Road via Katghora, Banspani–Barbil, Banspani–Barsuan.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/budget-2012/rail-budget/What-is-new-in-Railway-Budget-2012-13/articleshow/12267354.cms |title = What is new in Railway Budget 2012-13|work=The Times of India|date=14 March 2012| access-date = 2012-11-10}}</ref>

==New railway station project==
Shifting of Banspani station to Joda Town.
Amid a growing demand for shifting of Banspani railway station to Joda Town of Keonjhar district of Odisha, a delegation from the railways visited the area Thursday 10 May 2019.

Banspani is considered an important railway station of Joda Mining Sector of Odisha, under South Eastern railway in terms of freight services. Daily, lakhs of tonnes of minerals are transported from this station to various parts of the country. Even passengers trains operate to various major destinations like Kacheguda(Hyderabad), Visakhapattanam, Bhubaneswar, Tatanagar, Rourkela. But distance between town and the station is creating issue due to improper distance, and pollution.

A delegation of the railways led by top officials like SK Singh, GK Sahu took stock of the area from Banspani to Bachu Hutting on 10/05/2019.

"If the railway station is shifted to Joda town, passengers will feel it easy, and it can be a major station of this region in future." they added.

Head of the delegation SK Singh said that technical aspect of the proposal is being checked and a report will be submitted to the higher authorities soon.

==References==
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==External links==
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Tatanagar - Bilaspur section}}
[[Category:5 ft 6 in gauge railways in India]]
[[Category:Rail transport in Jharkhand]]
[[Category:Rail transport in Odisha]]
[[Category:Rail transport in Chhattisgarh]]
[[Category:Chakradharpur railway division|*]]
[[Category:Bilaspur railway division|*]]
[[Category:Khurda Road railway division|*]]
[[Category:Transport in Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh]]
[[Category:Transport in Jamshedpur]]

Tatanagar–Bilaspur section - Revision history

Beefurb: created new data w/ infobox