India’s central government has approved the construction of a fourth railway line through the strategically important “Chicken’s Neck” corridor to strengthen connectivity between the country’s northeastern states and the rest of India, a senior railway official said.

Chetan Kumar Srivastava, general manager of the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR), said the Malda-New Jalpaiguri section is a key railway route connecting the northeastern region with other parts of the country. Considering its strategic importance, the government has now given the green light to a fourth line in addition to the previously proposed third line.

He said a 29-kilometre double-line underground tunnel project from Tinmai Ghat to Bagdogra, near Siliguri, is also being undertaken. The project is expected to significantly transform railway infrastructure across North Bengal and northeastern India.

The “Chicken’s Neck” refers to a narrow stretch of land in North Bengal, about 20-22 kilometres wide and 60 kilometres long, through which transportation to and from the northeastern states largely depends. Work is also underway to double the railway line in the Barsoi section and expand infrastructure across the Katihar division.

Srivastava also said plans have been taken to introduce local train services from Jogbani, Radhikapur and Balurghat to improve connectivity near international borders. In addition, Vande Bharat Express services are planned to Tinsukia and Agartala from outside Guwahati. He added that 100% electrification of the NFR network has already been completed.