Railway projects in West Bengal are expected to gain speed following the BJP victory in the 2026 Assembly elections. The Ministry of Railways is preparing to coordinate with the new state government, which takes oath on May 9, 2026, to resolve long-standing land acquisition issues. This shift is seen as a way to clear bureaucratic hurdles that stopped several key projects for years.
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Which major projects are expected to resume?
The Ministry of Railways identified at least 12 major projects that were delayed. These include the Nabadwip Ghat–Nabadwip Dham and Kaliyaganj–Buniadpur new lines. Other critical works like the Canning–Bagankhali line and the Tarakeswar-Bishnupur line, which was held up since 2016, are also on the priority list. The Sivok-Rangpo line connecting Sikkim remains a project of national importance that needs urgent land clearance.
What are the latest funding and approvals for Bengal?
Indian Railways recently approved funds worth ₹895.30 crore for the state. A large portion of this is dedicated to the Kolkata Metro and bridge infrastructure. The details are as follows:
| Project Area | Allocation | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Kolkata Metro | ₹671.72 crore | North–South Corridor upgrade for 2.5-minute headway |
| Adra Division | ₹223.58 crore | Strengthening critical bridge infrastructure |
What has been the main reason for delays?
Land acquisition was the biggest hurdle for railway development in the state. Out of the required 4,662 hectares of land, only 27% was acquired under the previous administration. This led to the stalling of projects worth over ₹98,499 crore. The Railway Ministry will now write to the new state government to accelerate the procurement of the remaining land to get these projects back on track.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why were railway projects delayed in West Bengal?
The main reason was the lack of land acquisition. Only 27% of the required 4,662 hectares of land was available, causing projects worth over ₹98,499 crore to stall.
What is the update on the Kolkata Metro’s North-South Corridor?
The government approved ₹671.72 crore to upgrade the corridor, which will increase capacity and reduce the train headway to 2.5 minutes.
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