West Bengal (Metro Rail News): The West Bengal government has approved faster land acquisition of about 380 hectares land. This will speed up the long-pending 20 km Chalsa-Naxak new railway line. The project aims to improve connectivity near the India-China-Bhutan tri-junction close to Doklam.
The Chalsa-Naxak line forms part of the larger New Jalpaiguri–Siliguri–New Bongaigaon gauge conversion project. It was first approved in 2011-12. Work stopped temporarily in 2019 because of limited support from the previous state government. Railways revived the project in January along with five other delayed schemes.
In a related development, Siliguri MP Raju Bista announced that the Ministry of Railways has sanctioned around Rs 272 crore for a new 17 km line to Jaldhaka.
The proposed route starts from Khunia More near Chalsa and runs through the Jalpaiguri and Kalimpong forest divisions.Railways and the West Bengal Forest Department will jointly survey the alignment after the monsoon season. Once complete, the line will strengthen access to the Jaldhaka region near the strategic tri-junction.
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Beyond defence and border connectivity, the corridor is expected to boost tourism in Jaldhaka, Bindu, and Todey Tangta. It will make travel easier for local residents and visitors to these scenic North Bengal areas.
This dual progress on land clearance and new funding marks a clear step forward for rail links in a sensitive border zone while supporting regional development and tourism.
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