Indian Railways plans new underground rail line near Siliguri to strengthen Northeast connectivity

Guwahati: As part of Government of India’s sustained efforts to reinforce regional connectivity to the North-eastern States, Indian Railways has decided to construct a new underground railway line. The proposed new line will pass through the Siliguri Corridor,often referred to as the “Chicken’s Neck”.The proposed underground line will extend from Tinmile Hat toRangapani and then onward toBagdogra. Speaking during a media interaction, Hon’ble Union Minister for Railways, Information & Broadcasting and Electronics & Information Technology, ShriAshwiniVaishnaw stated that the project is aimed at ensuring secure, reliable and uninterrupted rail connectivity in this strategically sensitive corridor. The proposed project falls under the Katihar Division of Northeast Frontier Railway and spans parts of Darjeeling and Uttar Dinajpur districts of West Bengal and Kishanganj district of Bihar.

The proposed underground railway line has a total length of 35.76 km between Dumdangi and Bagdogra with the Dumdangi–Rangapani section measuring 33.40 km. The alignment has been planned primarily as an underground corridor to ensure secure, uninterrupted and resilient connectivity in the strategically sensitive Siliguri Corridor, which connects mainland India with the North-eastern States through a narrow stretch of land approximately 22 km wide.

Given the corridor’s proximity to international borders with Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh, as well as its vulnerability to natural disasters, congestion and security-related disruptions, the underground railway line will be of immense importance. The underground alignment will provide a protected and non-visible alternative route, enabling uninterrupted movement of defence personnel, military equipment and emergency relief materials during exigencies. The project will also support air–rail logistics integration due to its proximity to Bagdogra Air Force Station and the Bengdubi Army Cantonment of the Indian Army’s 33 Corps.

Modern technology and advanced engineering practices have been adopted for the project. The project proposes a 2×25 kV AC electrification system, Automatic Signalling (Standard-IV) with VOIP-based communication on OFC and quad cables, bridges designed to RDSO 25-ton axle load standards and twin tunnels using Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) methodology with NATM tunnels for crossovers.

The proposed Tinmile Hat–Rangapani–Bagdogra new underground railway line reflects Indian Railways’ commitment to strengthening strategic infrastructure in the Northeast. Rooted firmly in national interest, the project will play a vital role in reinforcing security, resilience and long-term connectivity of the North-eastern region, in alignment with the Government of India’s vision for integrated and secure infrastructure development.