India approves fourth railway line in Siliguri Corridor

India has approved the construction of a fourth railway line in the Siliguri Corridor, a narrow strip of land known as the ‘Chicken’s Neck’ that connects the country's northeastern states to the rest of India. The expansion aims to increase capacity for passenger, freight, and military transport in this strategically vital region, which is bordered by Bangladesh and Nepal.

Northeast Frontier Railway General Manager Chetan Kumar Srivastava confirmed that while a third line was previously proposed, the project has now been upgraded to include a fourth line. Other infrastructure initiatives include a 29-kilometer double underground rail project between Tinmai Ghat and Bagdogra, as well as doubling work on the Barsoi section.

Additionally, efforts are underway to upgrade New Jalpaiguri station to world-class standards, with a target completion date of April 2027. These developments are intended to manage increasing traffic loads and ensure reliable connectivity for essential supplies and military logistics to states such as Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, and Sikkim.