3 weeks ago
Minister flags rail boost for North Dinajpur with new tracks
The government that runs the trains in India is building a new railway line in a part of West Bengal called North Dinajpur.
A new track will connect the town of Kaliyaganj with Buniadpur, which is in the neighbouring South Dinajpur district.
The railway minister, Ashwini Vaishnaw, told the country's lawmakers about this plan.
The project will cost about ₹1,147 crore, which is a very large amount of money.
Some of the money has already been set aside for this year.
The railway needs a lot of land – about 168 hectares – and is working to buy it.
The railway is also making four stations better: Dalkhola, Dalimgaon, Kaliyaganj and Aluabari Road.
People will get new platforms, waiting rooms, drinking water, parking spots, footbridges and better roads.
This will help people in North Dinajpur travel by train to places like Balurghat and other parts of South Dinajpur.
Trains can then connect Calcutta and south Bengal with north Bengal more easily.
Railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw told the Lok Sabha that a new rail line will connect Kaliyaganj in North Dinajpur with Buniadpur station in South Dinajpur.
The project was sanctioned at an estimated cost of ₹1,147 crore, with funds allocated in the current fiscal year.
About 168 hectares of land are required for the project and the land acquisition process is in progress.
Infrastructure development is underway at four stations: Dalkhola, Dalimgaon, Kaliyaganj and Aluabari Road.
Planned amenities include high-level extended platforms, waiting rooms, drinking water, parking, footbridges and approach roads; 102 stations in Bengal have been identified for renovation under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme.
- Who
- Railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, replying in the Lok Sabha to questions from Kartick Chanda Paul, the BJP MP of Raiganj.
- What
- Development of new railway tracks connecting Kaliyaganj (North Dinajpur) with Buniadpur (South Dinajpur) and infrastructure upgrades at four stations.
- Where
- North Dinajpur and South Dinajpur districts of West Bengal, covering the stations Dalkhola, Dalimgaon, Kaliyaganj and Aluabari Road.
- When
- Announced on Wednesday during a Lok Sabha reply; the project was sanctioned with funds allocated in the current fiscal.
- Why
- To fulfil a longstanding demand to connect Buniadpur with Kaliyaganj, helping North Dinajpur residents reach Balurghat and other locations in South Dinajpur and improving connectivity between Calcutta/south Bengal and north Bengal.
Key facts
- Estimated project cost
- ₹1,147 crore
- Land required
- 168 hectares
- New rail link
- Kaliyaganj (North Dinajpur) to Buniadpur (South Dinajpur)
- Stations being upgraded
- Dalkhola, Dalimgaon, Kaliyaganj, Aluabari Road
- MP who raised the question
- Kartick Chanda Paul (BJP, Raiganj)
- Announcement
- Lok Sabha reply on Wednesday
- Stations for renovation in Bengal
- 102 under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme
- Planned facilities
- High-level extended platforms, waiting rooms, drinking water, parking, footbridges, approach roads and boundary walls
Quotes
Ashwini Vaishnaw
Indian Railways Minister
“"The Buniadpur station is along the Balurghat‑Eklakhi route, which connects Calcutta and south Bengal with north Bengal."”
telegraphindia.com
“"The project was sanctioned with an estimated cost of ₹1,147 crore and funds have been allocated in the current fiscal."”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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