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The Centre has approved a fourth railway line through the strategically important Chicken’s Neck, or Siliguri Corridor, in north Bengal, strengthening rail capacity on the key route connecting the Northeast with the rest of India. The Malda-New Jalpaiguri section is a crucial link for both passenger and freight movement, while a nearly 29-km double-line underground project between Tinmai Ghat and Bagdogra is also being taken forward. Other works include doubling in the Barsoi section, redevelopment of New Jalpaiguri station and new local train services for border and remote areas.
The Centre has approved a fourth railway line through the strategically important Chicken’s Neck corridor in north Bengal, according to a senior Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) official. The additional line is planned for the Malda-New Jalpaiguri section, which provides a key rail connection between the northeastern states and the rest of the country.
NFR General Manager Chetan Kumar Shrivastava said the section had earlier been considered for a third line, but approval has now also been given for a fourth line. The railway is placing greater emphasis on increasing capacity along the corridor because of its strategic importance.
Another major project in the area is a nearly 29-km double-line underground rail project between Tinmai Ghat and Bagdogra. The project is being taken up alongside the expansion of the Malda-New Jalpaiguri section and is expected to add further capacity to the route.
The Chicken’s Neck, officially known as the Siliguri Corridor, is a narrow stretch of land in north Bengal measuring around 20-22 km at its narrowest width and nearly 60 km in length. It connects the northeastern states with the rest of India and is considered important from both security and logistics perspectives.
The planned railway expansion is also linked to rising passenger and freight movement through the region. Work on doubling the railway line in the Barsoi section is already underway, while infrastructure is being expanded across the Katihar division to handle the growing traffic.
NFR has also expanded passenger services in the region. Around 42 new trains were introduced on different routes during the previous year, while nearly 250 additional stoppages were provided to improve connectivity for passengers.
Redevelopment work at New Jalpaiguri railway station is progressing and is scheduled for completion by April 2027. The station is an important rail hub for north Bengal and serves as a gateway to several parts of the Northeast and adjoining regions.
The railway is also working on introducing new local train services from Jogbani, Radhikapur and Balurghat. These services are expected to improve rail access for passengers in border and remote areas once introduced.
NFR has completed 100% electrification of its railway network, according to the official. Work is now being accelerated to increase the operation of electric trains across the network.
Plans are also being considered to extend Vande Bharat services beyond Guwahati to Tinsukia and Agartala, with services operating in both directions. The proposed extensions would provide additional intercity rail connectivity within the Northeast.
The fourth-line approval comes as Indian Railways continues to focus on increasing capacity on routes that carry both passenger and freight traffic. In the Chicken’s Neck corridor, additional rail infrastructure is particularly important because of the limited width of the land corridor and its role as the main surface connection between the Northeast and the rest of the country.
Source PTI
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