Indian Railways has approved the construction of 10 new lines in West Bengal. Of these 10 lines, four are under the Katihar division of Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR), two under Alipurduar division of NFR and the remaining four under Sealdah division of Eastern Railway.
Katihar Division (NFR)
The railway ministry has approved the process of starting construction work for four new line projects in North Bengal namely 43.43 -km Raiganj – Dalkhola new line, 27.2 km Gazole-Itahar new line, 22.16-km Raiganj-Itahar new line and the 27.095 -km Itahar–Buniadpur new line (27.095 km).
These new line projects will provide alternative routes between Malda and Aluabari improving rail connectivity in North Bengal.
Project details are as follows:-
(1) Raiganj – Itahar New Line :
• Stretch: Raiganj -Itahar (22.16 km)
• Estimated Cost : ₹ 129.34 crore
• Number of stations: four – Raiganj, Rupahar Halt, Durgapur and Itahar.
• Strategic Impact: Enhances the railway network across Northern part of West Bengal, streamlining freight and passenger movement towards the Northeast.
• The project involves six major bridges and 42 minor bridges including RUBs.
(2) Gajole – Itahar New Line :
• Stretch: Gazole – Itahar (27.20 km)
• Estimated Cost : ₹ 85.59 crore
• Number of stations: three- Gazole, Bangar Halt and Itahar.
• Strategic Impact: enhances railway network across Northern part of West Bengal, streamlining freight and passenger movement towards the Northeast.
• The project involves 12 major bridges and 37 minor bridges including RUBs.
(3) Raiganj – Dalkhola New Line :
• Stretch: Dalkhola–Raiganj (43.43 km).
• Total Estimated Cost : ₹ 291.53 crore.
• Nos of stations: five- Raiganj, Bilashpur Halt, Tunidighi, Karandighi and Dalkhola.
• Strategic Impact and Progress: This line will create an efficient transit route between Dalkhola and Raiganj, significantly reducing travel time.
• The project involves 13 major bridges, six ROBs, 97 minor bridges and 32 RUBs.
(4) Itahar–Buniadpur new line (27.095 km)
Estimated cost – Rs 287.94 crore, this line will connect important trade and population centres through five stations, improving access and supporting development.
Alipurduar Division (NFR)
The Railway Board has also approved the Chalsa–Naxal new line (19.85 km) at an estimated cost of Rs 292.92 crore that will play a crucial role in improving connectivity in the Dooars region and further strengthening the railway network.
In addition, the Rajabhatkhawa-Jainti new line (15.13 km) has been considered, passing through the Buxa Tiger Reserve.
This project with an estimated cost of Rs 180.16 crore, will be taken up with due emphasis on both rail connectivity and environmentally responsible construction.
Sealdah division (ER)
Four new line projects in North 24 Parganas and Nadia district of West Bengal under Sealdah division of Eastern Railway (ER) have been revived.
They are Bangaon – Poramaheshtala (20 km), Bangaon – Chandabazar (11.5 km), Chandabazar – Bagdah (13.8 km), and Ranaghat (Aranghata) – Duttaphulia (8.17 km). Strategically, it will strengthen connectivity along the India-Bangladesh border improving national security.
Project details are as follows :
1) Bangaon – Chandabazar (11.5 km) :
This 11.5- km new line connecting Bangaon and Chandabazar will have three major bridges and one minor bridge. New platform with shelter, FOB, ticket counter including station building will be constructed for passenger facility.
2) Bangaon – Poramaheshtala (20 Km) :
This 20-km new line alignment between Bangaon to Poramaheshtala towards Kalyani will veer away from Bangaon-Ranaghat branch line near level crossing number 21 about a km before Bangaon.There will be one major bridge and 37 minor bridges in this section. A new platform with shelter, FOB, ticket counter including station building will be constructed.
3) Chandabazar – Bagdah (13.8 Km) :
This 13.8 Km new line will connect Chandabazar to Bagdah. The proposed line, will bifurcate from Bangaon – Petrapol section and run parallel to Bangaon-Bagdah state highway. There will be two major bridges and 14 minor bridges new platform with shelter, FOB, ticket counter including station building will be constructed.
4) Ranaghat (Aranghata) – Duttaphulia (8.17 km) :
Ranaghat an important junction station, on the Sealdah-Krishnanagar-Lalgola section is also connected to Gede, a border station, through a fully electrified double track.
This 8.17 km new line will veer away from Aranghata and will run east up to Duttaphulia, parallel to the state highway. There will be 15 minor bridges in this section. A new platform with shelter, FOB, ticket counter including station building will be constructed.
