India mulls two railway lines in Nepal to boost connectivity to its North East region

KATHMANDU: The Indian Railways has begun studies to connect India’s North East region with the rest of the country through Nepal and Bangladesh.

According to a news report in The Hindu Business Line, these rain routes will avoid the sensitive chicken neck region in the Siliguri area of West Bengal.

The Railway Board has already sanctioned the final location survey for the 14 new railway connective routes connecting Nepal and Bangladesh as well as alternative routes toward the North East.

The news report states that over 200 km of new lines will be laid in Nepal, while new railway lines connecting Bangladesh will be around 500 km and gauge conversion will be around 367 km.

The Indian Railways has proposed to lay down a 190 km railway line between Biratnagar and New Mal in Jalpaiguri district of West Bengal. Likewise, it has also proposed a short 12.5 km new railway line from Kajali Bazar in Haldibari Rural Municipality of Jhapa to Bhadrapur and then to Galgalia in Eastern Bihar across the Mechi River.