Indian Railways (IR) has approved the final location survey of three new rail lines in West Bengal totalling 178 route kilometres. The three new line projects are 1) Siuri – Nala new line via Rajnagar and Bakreshwar Dham (73 km), Arambagh – Khanakul new line (27 km) and Rasulpur – Jangalpara new line (78 km).
The salient features of the three new line works for which the final location survey will be done are as follows:
Siuri to Nala via Rajnagar and Bakreshwar Dham (73 route km):
The proposed line will provide direct rail connectivity between Siuri (Birbhum, West Bengal) and Nala (Jamtara, Jharkhand), via intermediate blocks such as Rajnagar and Bakreshwar Dham. The 73-km route unlocks pilgrimage tourism potential (Bakreshwar Dham) and provides improved inter-state connectivity between two underserved regions.
Arambagh – Khanakul (27 route km):
Khanakul village, located in Radhanagar (Hooghly District, West Bengal), is the birthplace of Raja Rammohan Roy. Presently, the two places are connected by road. The proposed new railway line between Arambagh and Khanakul is essential to meet growing passenger demand and improve accessibility.
Rasulpur – Jangalpara via Palla Road, Mathnashipur (78 route km):
Final location survey for a new bypass line to connect Rasulpur (Howrah Barddhaman main line) to Palla Road ( Howrah Barddhaman chord Line) has been sanctioned to avoid loco reversal.
A rail-over-rail bridge taking off from down (DN) line of Howrah – Barddhaman Chord line to Masagram-Bankura Line to avoid surface crossover at Masagram.
Mathnashipur Halt, situated on the Masagram -Bankura line of Adra division, South Eastern Railway is to be converted into a block station. A new railway line connecting Mathnashipur to Jangalpara (situated on the Tarakeshwar – Arambagh section of Eastern Railway) as a block station is to be constructed.
The region is presently dependent on road transport and a direct Rasulpur-Jangalpara rail line via Mathnashipur would provide an alternate path for short-lead passenger and light freight trains, decongesting existing railway lines Eastern Railway/South Eastern Railway territory.
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