Centre clears fourth rail line through Northeast’s ‘Chicken’s Neck’

A fourth railway line through the strategically important 'Chicken's Neck' corridor has been approved by the Centre, a senior official said.

Northeast Frontier Railway General Manager Chetan Kumar Shrivastava said the Malda-New Jalpaiguri section is a crucial rail corridor connecting the Northeast with other parts of the country.

"A third line had earlier been proposed for the section, but approval has now been accorded for a fourth line as well. In addition, the nearly 29-km double-line underground project between Tinmai Ghat and Bagdogra is another important infrastructure initiative," he said, addressing a press conference on Wednesday night.

Given the strategic importance of the region, the railways is laying special emphasis on enhancing the capacity of the corridor, he said.

The 'Chicken’s Neck', also known as the Siliguri Corridor, is a narrow stretch of land -- about 20-22 km wide and nearly 60 km long -- in north Bengal that connects the northeastern states with the rest of India. It is considered a critical and sensitive lifeline from both security and logistical perspectives.

Shrivastava said once the projects are completed, the entire rail corridor will undergo a major transformation, and the area will develop in a more organised manner.

He said work on doubling the line in the Barsoi section was also underway, while infrastructure was being expanded across the Katihar division to cater to growing passenger and freight traffic.

As many as 42 new trains had been introduced on different routes during the previous year, while around 250 new stoppages had been provided to improve passenger convenience, he said.

Shrivastava said redevelopment of the New Jalpaiguri station was progressing rapidly and it will be completed by April 2027.

"Efforts are also underway to introduce new local train services from Jogbani, Radhikapur and Balurghat soon. The services are expected to improve connectivity for passengers in border and remote areas," he said.

He said 100 per cent electrification of the NFR network had been completed and work was being accelerated to further expand the operation of electric trains.

"There are plans to extend Vande Bharat train services beyond Guwahati to Tinsukia and Agartala, with services operating in both directions. It would provide passengers in the Northeast with faster and more comfortable rail travel," he said.