The West Bengal government has cleared the way for faster land acquisition for a strategically important railway project aimed at improving connectivity near the India-China-Bhutan tri-junction, according to a report by TOI.
The move is expected to accelerate work on the Chalsa-Naxalbari railway line, a long-pending project that is considered significant from both connectivity and strategic perspectives.
Land acquisition approved for railway project
According to TOI, the state government has agreed to fast-track the acquisition of around 380 hectares of land for the project.
The railway line forms part of the New Jalpaiguri-Siliguri-New Bongaigaon gauge conversion project and includes the 20-km Chalsa-Naxalbari section, which was originally sanctioned during the 2011-12 financial year.
The project had remained stalled for several years because of delays in land acquisition.
Project revived after years of delay
Official records cited by TOI indicate that the railway project was placed in abeyance in September 2019 due to a lack of cooperation from the then state government.
The Railways revived, or "de-froze", the project in January this year along with five other pending railway projects. However, progress reportedly remained slow because land acquisition had not moved forward.
With the latest approval from the state government, work on the railway line is now expected to gather pace.
Rail link to improve connectivity near Doklam
Speaking to TOI, Siliguri MP Raju Bista said Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw reviewed long-pending railway projects in the state after the new government assumed office.
He said the state government has now given clearance for several pending railway projects, including this strategically important rail link.
Earlier, Bista announced on social media that the Ministry of Railways had sanctioned around Rs 272 crore for a new 17-km railway line to Jaldhaka.
According to him, the proposed route will originate from Khunia More near Chalsa and pass through the Jalpaiguri and Kalimpong forest divisions.
Railways and forest department to conduct survey
Bista said the Railways and the West Bengal Forest Department will jointly conduct a survey after the monsoon to finalise the proposed alignment.
He added that the railway line is expected to strengthen connectivity to the Jaldhaka region, located close to the India-China-Bhutan tri-junction near Doklam.
Besides its strategic importance, the proposed railway corridor is also expected to boost tourism in the Jaldhaka, Bindu and Todey Tangta areas, improving access to the region for both residents and visitors.
