In a significant move to recognize the stellar performance of railway employees and bolster infrastructure development, the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, on September 24, 2025, approved a Productivity Linked Bonus (PLB) of Rs. 1865.68 crore for 10,91,146 railway employees and sanctioned the doubling of the Bakhtiyarpur–Rajgir–Tilaiya single railway line section in Bihar at a cost of Rs. 2192 crore. These decisions underscore the government’s commitment to rewarding workforce excellence and enhancing rail connectivity to drive economic growth and sustainability.
The Productivity Linked Bonus, equivalent to 78 days’ wages, will benefit approximately 10.91 lakh non-gazetted railway employees, including track maintainers, loco pilots, train managers, station masters, supervisors, technicians, technician helpers, pointsmen, ministerial staff, and other Group ‘C’ personnel. Each eligible employee will receive a maximum PLB amount of Rs. 17,951, to be disbursed ahead of the Durga Puja and Dussehra holidays, as is customary. This financial incentive aims to motivate railway employees to further enhance the operational efficiency and performance of Indian Railways, which has shown remarkable progress in 2024-25. The railway sector achieved a record cargo loading of 1614.90 million tonnes and transported nearly 7.3 billion passengers during the year, reflecting its critical role in India’s transportation network.

In a parallel development, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs greenlit the doubling of the 104-km Bakhtiyarpur–Rajgir–Tilaiya railway line in Bihar, a project designed to strengthen rail infrastructure in the state. Spanning four districts, this initiative will expand the Indian Railways network by 104 kilometers and enhance connectivity to prominent cultural and tourist destinations such as Rajgir’s Shanti Stupa, Nalanda, and Pawapuri, which attract pilgrims and visitors from across the country. The project is expected to benefit approximately 1,434 villages and a population of 13.46 lakh, including the aspirational districts of Gaya and Nawada.

The rail line doubling is poised to significantly boost freight transport, with an anticipated additional capacity of 26 million tonnes per annum. Key commodities such as coal, cement, clinker, and fly ash will see improved transportation efficiency, contributing to reduced logistics costs. As an environmentally friendly and energy-efficient mode of transport, the enhanced railway infrastructure is projected to save 5 crore liters of oil imports and reduce CO2 emissions by 24 crore kilograms, equivalent to planting 1 crore trees. This aligns with India’s climate goals and promotes sustainable development.

The multi-tracking project will alleviate congestion on one of Indian Railways’ busiest sections, improving operational efficiency and service reliability. By enhancing mobility, the initiative supports Prime Minister Modi’s vision of an Atmanirbhar Bharat, fostering comprehensive regional development and creating employment and self-employment opportunities for local communities. Planned under the PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan, the project emphasizes integrated planning and stakeholder collaboration to ensure seamless multi-modal connectivity for the movement of people, goods, and services.
These dual approvals reflect the government’s focus on rewarding the dedication of railway employees while simultaneously advancing infrastructure to meet the growing demands of a modernizing India. The combined impact of the PLB and the rail line doubling will strengthen the railway sector’s role as a backbone of economic progress and environmental sustainability.