RAILWAY MINISTRY APPROVES FOR INITIATION OF THREE NEW LINE PROJECTS IN NORTH BENGAL BOOSTING CONNECTIVITY AND REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Union Government is taking all-round initiative towards development of West Bengal. Marching ahead towards the aim of ‘Bikoshito Bangla’ the Railway Ministry has approved for initiation of construction work for 03 new line projects in North Bengal namely Raiganj – Dalkhola new line (43.43 KM) , Gazole – Itahar new line (27.20 KM) and Raiganj – Itahar new line (22.16.KM) projects. These 03 new line projects will provide alternative routes between Malda & Aluabari significantly contributing the improvement of mobility in such densely populated region of North Bengal and also will bring improvement in the rail activity towards adjacent international border area with Bangladesh. These new lines will significantly improve the socio-economic status of this region mainly inhabited by weaker communities.

The highlights of these project are as follows:-

(1) Project highlights of Raiganj – Itahar New Line :

• Stretch: Raiganj -Itahar (22.16 Km)
• Estimated Cost of the project: ₹ 129.34 Crores
• Nos of Station: 4 viz. Raiganj, Rupahar Halt, Durgapur and Itahar.
• State: West Bengal
• Strategic Impact: Enhances the integrated gauge conversion network across Northern part of West Bengal, streamlining freight and passenger movement toward the Northeast.
• The project involves 6 nos. major bridges & 42 nos. minor bridges including RUBs.

(2) Project highlights of Gajole – Itahar New Line :

• Stretch: Gazole - Itahar (27.20) Km
• Estimated Cost of the project: ₹ 85.59 Crores
• Nos of Station: 3 viz. Gazole, Bangar Halt and Itahar.
• State: West Bengal
• Strategic Impact: Enhances the integrated gauge conversion network across Northern part of West Bengal, streamlining freight and passenger movement toward the Northeast.
• The project involves 12 nos. major bridges & 37 nos. minor bridges including RUBs.

(3) Project highlights of Raiganj – Dalkhola New Line :

• Stretch: Dalkhola–Raiganj (43.43 Km).
• Total Estimated Cost of the project: ₹ 291.53 Crores.
• Nos of Station: 5 viz. Raiganj, Bilashpur Halt, Tunidighi, Karandighi & Dalkhola.
• State: West Bengal.
• Strategic Impact and Progress: This new line will create a more efficient transit route between Dalkhola and Raiganj, significantly reducing travel time and boosting local trade.
• The project involves 13 nos. major bridges, 06 Nos. ROBs, 97 nos. minor bridges & 32 nos. RUBs.

The Ministry of Railways further enhancing the rail infrastructure in this gateway area to North Bengal has significantly contributed to the strategic, logistic and public utility need creating new opening for the development in West Bengal.