In a significant move to bolster international connectivity, Indian Railways has sanctioned the Final Location Survey (FLS) for 14 new railway routes aimed at linking India with Bangladesh, Nepal, and enhancing alternate routes to the Northeast. The total length of the sanctioned FLS is 1275.50 km. This includes 861 km of new railway lines connecting Bangladesh and 202.5 km connecting Nepal. Additionally, the proposed alternate routes to the Northeast will cover 212 km.
The sanctioned routes for FLS of rail connectivity between India and Bangladesh include several key sections. The Balurghat – Hili – Parbatipur – Kaunia – Lalmanirhat – Mogalhat – Gitaldaha section will cover 32 km, with 14 km of new railway line and 18 km of gauge conversion. Another significant route, the Balurghat – Gitaldaha – Bamanhat – Sonahat – Golakganj – Dhubri section, will span 56 km, including 38 km of new railway line and 18 km of gauge conversion.
Further, the Balurghat – Hili – Gaibandha – Mahendraganj – Tura – Mendipathar section will see 250 km of new railway line construction. The Mangurjan – Pirganj – Thakurgaon – Panchgarh – Haldibari route will involve 60 km of new railway line construction, while the Dalkhola – Pirganj – Thakurgaon – Panchgarh – Haldibari section will add another 80 km of new railway line.
The Radhikapur – Birol – Parbatipur – Kaunia – Gitaldaha section, with 32 km in total, will include 14 km of new railway line and 18 km of gauge conversion. The proposed Belonia – Feni – Chottogram route will cover 131 km, including 38 km of new railway line and 93 km of gauge conversion. Additionally, the Gede – Darsana – Ishwardi – Tongi – Bhairab Bazar – Akhaura – Agartala route will undergo 100 km of gauge conversion, and the Petrapole – Benapole – Nabharon – Jessore – Rupdia – Padmabila – Lohagara – Kashiani – Shibchar – Mawa – Nimtala – Gendaria – Dhaka – Tongi – Bhairab Bazar – Akhaura – Agartala route will see 120 km of gauge conversion.
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For the alternate new routes towards the Northeast, the Forbesganj – Lakshamipur section will span 17.60 km, the Thakurganj – Chattarhat section 24.40 km, and the Kumedpur – Ambari Falakata new route will require 170 km of new railway line construction.
In terms of connectivity with Nepal, the sanctioned route for FLS includes the Biratnagar – New Mal Junction section, requiring 190 km of new railway line construction, and the Galgalia – Bhadrapur – Kajali Bazar section, which will need 12.5 km of new railway line.
These newly proposed railway lines are poised to enhance connectivity through the crucial chicken-neck corridor.
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