The ministry of railways has sanctioned the final location survey of three new Line projects spanning over a total length of 178 km. These three new line projects include Siuri – Nala new line via Rajnagar and Bakreshwar Dham, Arambagh – Khanakul new line and Rasulpur – Jangalpara new line.
According to the Eastern Railway, the proposed route from Siuri to Nala via Rajnagar and Bakreshwar Dham spanning over 73 km is to provide direct rail connectivity between Siuri and Nala in Jharkhand, tapping intermediate blocks like Rajnagar and the major pilgrim/ tourist node Bakreshwar Dham, strengthening intra-regional mobility in the Siuri-Rajnagar-Bakreshwar-Nala catchment which is presently dependent mainly on road transport.
Khanakul village, located in Radhanagar in Hooghly, holds cultural and historical significance as the birthplace of Raja Rammohan Roy. In the present transport system, connectivity between the two areas is primarily road-based, which is slow, congestion-prone and vulnerable to seasonal disruptions. The proposed new railway line between Arambagh and Khanakul of around 27 km, is aimed at meeting the growing passenger demand, improving accessibility and promoting balanced regional development.
The third line from Rasulpur to Jangalpara has been selected for the final location survey for a new Bypass line to connect Rasulpur (Main Line) to Palla Road (chord Line) covering a distance of around 78 km. As learnt from the ER office, the new line would enable avoiding engine reversal. One Down Rail Over Rail Bridge (ROR) to connect Down Howrah – Burdwan Chord line (DN HBC) to Masagram-Bankura Line to avoid surface crossing at Masagram. Mathnashipur Halt in Adra division to be converted as block station and a new railway line connecting Mathnashipur to Janglapara as block station on Tarakeswar – Arambagh Section is to be constructed.
The intervening region is presently dependent on road based transport for access to nearest railheads. Direct Rasulpur-Jangalpara connectivity via Mathnashipur would provide an alternate path for short-lead passenger and light freight trains, relieving load on longer circuitous routes through existing junctions in Eastern Railway/South Eastern Railway territory.