Indian Railways has announced plans to construct a new underground railway line in the Northeastern states to enhance connectivity. The proposed line will traverse the Siliguri corridor in North Bengal, famously known as the ‘Chicken’s Neck’. Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) Chief Public Relations Officer Kapinjal Kishore Sharma revealed that the underground route will stretch from Tinmile Hat to Rangapani and Bagdogra in the Darjeeling district, West Bengal.
Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has highlighted that the project aims to ensure secure, reliable, and uninterrupted rail connectivity in this strategically crucial corridor. The Katihar Division of NFR will oversee the project, covering regions in the Darjeeling and Uttar Dinajpur districts of West Bengal, as well as in the Kishanganj district, Bihar.
The underground line will span 35.76 km from Dumdangi to Bagdogra, with a significant 33.40 km segment between Dumdangi and Rangapani. This alignment is set to provide robust connectivity through the 22 km Siliguri Corridor, linking mainland India to the Northeast.
Due to its proximity to Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh borders, coupled with its vulnerability to natural calamities and security threats, the underground line holds immense strategic importance. It will offer a secure alternate route for defense personnel, military assets, and emergency supplies.
The project will enable air-rail logistics integration, leveraging its vicinity to Bagdogra Air Force Station and Bengdubi Army Cantonment. It will incorporate cutting-edge technologies like a 2×25 kV AC electrification system, Automatic Signalling (Standard-IV) with VOIP-based communication, bridges meeting RDSO 25-ton axle load standards, and twin tunnels constructed using Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) and New Austrian Tunneling Method (NATM) techniques.
The development of this underground line underscores Indian Railways’ dedication to bolstering strategic infrastructure in the Northeast, aligning with the government of India’s vision for integrated and secure progress. NFR, headquartered in Maligaon near Guwahati, operates in the Northeastern states, seven districts of West Bengal, and five districts of northern Bihar.
