Fourth Rail Line Approved in Siliguri Corridor

The Central Government of India approved a fourth railway line in the Malda–New Jalpaiguri section through the Siliguri Corridor, also known as the Chicken’s Neck. The approval was announced on 13 August 2026 by the Northeast Frontier Railway, and it adds to earlier plans for a third line in the same strategic route.

Siliguri Corridor

The Siliguri Corridor is a narrow land link in West Bengal that connects mainland India with the eight northeastern states. The corridor is commonly described as the Chicken’s Neck because of its narrow shape and strategic location.

The corridor is about 20 to 22 kilometres wide at its narrowest point. It carries road, rail, and utility links that connect the Northeast with the rest of India.

Rail Infrastructure in the Region

The approved railway expansion includes a fourth line in the Malda–New Jalpaiguri section and a nearly 29-km double-line underground railway project between Tinmai Ghat and Bagdogra. The Northeast Frontier Railway also stated that doubling work in the Barsoi section is under way.

The Katihar division is part of the wider rail network in the region and handles passenger and freight movement across north Bengal and adjoining areas. The expansion is linked to higher traffic on existing rail routes in the corridor.

New Jalpaiguri and Border Connectivity

The redevelopment of New Jalpaiguri station is in progress and is scheduled for completion by April 2027. New Jalpaiguri is one of the major railway stations in north Bengal and serves as a key junction for routes towards Assam, Bihar, and the Northeast.

Plans are also under way to start new local train services from Jogbani, Radhikapur, and Balurghat. These locations are in border and frontier regions of eastern India.

Important Facts for Exams

• The Siliguri Corridor connects mainland India with Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura, and Sikkim.
• The Northeast Frontier Railway is one of the 18 railway zones of Indian Railways.
• New Jalpaiguri station is a major rail junction in West Bengal and links broad-gauge routes to the Northeast.
• The Chicken’s Neck is a strategic land corridor because of its narrow width and its role in transport and defence logistics.

Strategic Rail Significance

Rail lines in the Siliguri Corridor are part of the transport network that links eastern India with the Northeast. The corridor has long been treated as a strategic zone in Indian geography and transport planning.