The proposed line will bring down travelling time between Ranchi and Delhi

Ranchi, June 8: Indian Railways has again extended the deadline of the long-awaited Lohardaga-Tori project, which when ready, will cut down travel time between the national capital and state capital by three hours.

While the earlier deadline for laying tracks along the 44km stretch was March 2012, the new deadline is December 2012.

According to deputy chief engineer of Ranchi railway division Ajit Singh Yadav, who is looking after project, the deadline was extended as Naxalite activity in the area was affecting the pace of work.

Taken up in 2004, the work of laying of the tracks from Lohardaga to Tori with an investment of Rs 1,000 crore was initially to be completed by March 2010. That deadline was shifted to March 2012 after several attacks on private agencies carrying out the work for the railways.

“The rebels have attacked the work sites, torching equipment at least six times over the years,” said a railway official who did not want to be identified.

However, about a year ago, the railways managed to complete laying the tracks between Lohardaga and Barkichampi — a distance of 14km. It’s the 30km stretch between Barkichampi and Tori that is lying unfinished.

“We are carrying out the work under tight security. We are sure we can complete it by December 2012 if there are no further disturbances,” said Yadav. The deadline was extended about two weeks ago.

Over a dozen private agencies are engaged in the task on behalf of the railways.

After Barkichampi, the track has to run through forests of Lohardaga and Latehar districts before it is connected to the Daltonganj-Delhi main line at Tori. This region is a rebel stronghold.

At present, the distance between Ranchi and Delhi, via Muri-Barkakana-Tori, is about 1,300km.

The new route will enable trains from Ranchi to reach Tori via Lohardaga and then take the Daltonganj-Delhi route.

“One company of India Reserve Battalion has been engaged for security. The local police too, have been asked to tie up with the force and ensure necessary security. The work is now going on at Boda,” said Aseem Vikrant Minz, Lohardaga superintendent of police.

While work on the remaining 30km continues, the railways plan to run trains on the portion that is ready.

Additional divisional railway manager Sunil Kumar said Ranchi railway division has informed the headquarters about the completion of track laying till Barkichampi.