PATNA, May 24 -- In a major boost to railway infrastructure in Bihar, Union minister for railways, information and broadcasting, and electronics and IT, Ashwini Vaishnaw laid the foundation stone for the Rs.78.96 crore wagon POH (Periodic Overhaul) capacity augmentation project at the Jamalpur Workshop in Munger district on Friday, officials said. Once operational, the upgraded facility will significantly enhance Indian Railways' freight operations by enabling the monthly overhauling of 545 to 800 freight wagons. The workshop is also expected to take on new responsibilities for the maintenance of LHB coaches and Vande Bharat trains, marking a substantial upgrade in its technical and operational scope. This was Vaishnaw's first visit to the historic Jamalpur Workshop since assuming office, and it holds added significance ahead of the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections. During his visit, he inspected various units of the workshop and interacted with employees. Speaking at a public function at the workshop, the minister highlighted India's journey toward self-reliance in railway technology, citing indigenous development of Vande Bharat and Namo Bharat trains. "The production targets for wagons, cranes, and the iconic Jamalpur Jack have steadily increased alongside infrastructure expansion. But our aim is a paradigm shift," he said. Vaishnaw highlighted the central government's commitment to Bihar's development, citing the exponential rise in railway budget allocation from Rs.1,000 crore a decade ago to Rs.10,000 crore today. He also mentioned upcoming projects worth Rs.1 lakh crore, including the redevelopment of 98 stations across the state. Highlighting achievements over the past decade, the minister stated that 1,832 km of new railway tracks have been laid in Bihar and 34,000 km across the country. Electrification has been completed on over 50,000 km of track, significantly reducing dependence on imported oil. Vaishnaw also announced an action plan worth Rs.350 crore for the development of the Jamalpur Locomotive Workshop and the Indian Railway Institute of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering (IRIMEE). He assured that by the 2026 academic session, IRIMEE's portals would open to the public, and the Vice Chancellor of Gati Shakti University would visit soon to facilitate this initiative. A booklet titled "Centre of Excellence" was released, detailing development plans in key engineering domains-Welding, Pneumatics, Hydraulics, and Mechatronics-under the Rs.350 crore investment initiative for IRIMEE. During his tour of the Wagon Manufacturing Shop, Vaishnaw inspected the production of BOXN and BLCS wagons, as well as brake vans equipped with toilet facilities. He also visited the Crane Shop, where he reviewed newly manufactured 140-tonne cranes, 8-wheeler tower cars, and the renowned Jamalpur Jack. The minister arrived in Jamalpur via a special train from Patna, conducting a window-trailing inspection along the Patna-Mokama-Begusarai-Munger Bridge-Jamalpur route. Officials said the visit reflects the Union Government's commitment to strengthening and modernising rail infrastructure in eastern India. Union minister Rajiv Ranjan alias Lalan Singh praised Vaishnaw for his micro-level planning, while Bihar deputy chief ministers Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha lauded the Railways' role in the state's development. Senior railway officials, including the General Managers of Eastern and East Central Railways, along with other dignitaries, were present at the event....