Kishanganj District Magistrate Reviews Progress on Railway Land Acquisition Projects
Kishanganj District Magistrate Naveen Kumar presided over a high-level review meeting on September 5, 2026, to assess the progress of land acquisition for various railway projects currently underway in the district. During the meeting, officials were directed to accelerate procedural workflows, prioritize the resolution of pending cases, and eliminate unnecessary administrative delays to ensure regional development.
Key highlights from the high-level review meeting include:
- Kishanganj District Magistrate Naveen Kumar chaired a review meeting on September 5, 2026.
- The 51.632-kilometer Kishanganj-Jalalgarh new rail line was declared a 'Special Railway Project' on July 28, 2026.
- A financial provision of 170.8 crore rupees was allocated for the Kishanganj-Jalalgarh project in the 2025-26 fiscal year.
- Preliminary notifications for the Araria-Galgalia new B.G. rail line were issued in August 2026.
- Indian Railways is utilizing the 'Rail Bhumi' portal to reduce project timelines by 30-40%.
Focus on Kishanganj-Jalalgarh Rail Line
A key focus of the review was the 51.632-kilometer Kishanganj-Jalalgarh new rail line project. After remaining pending for 17 years, the project was declared a 'Special Railway Project' on July 28, 2026, and received official notification in the Gazette of India on July 30, 2026. Following advocacy from Member of Parliament Pappu Yadav, authorities are currently finalizing land measurement, addressing grievances from landowners, and distributing compensation. A provision of 170.8 crore rupees was allocated for this project in the 2025-26 fiscal year.
Progress on Other Infrastructure Developments
The review also covered several other major infrastructure developments. Progress was assessed for the land acquisition regarding the Thakurganj to Aluabari new Broad Gauge rail line doubling project and the Araria-Galgalia new B.G. rail line, the latter of which saw preliminary notifications issued in August 2026. Furthermore, the 24.90-kilometer Thakurganj-Chatrahat new B.G. line is undergoing final location surveys and soil testing. Officials also reviewed capacity enhancement projects concerning the Aluabari Road new B.G. line and the Thakurganj-Siliguri rail line doubling.
Accelerating Timelines with Technology and Legal Frameworks
To expedite these initiatives, Indian Railways is utilizing the 'Rail Bhumi' portal, aiming to reduce project timelines by 30-40%. These acquisitions are being conducted under the Railway Act, 1989 (as amended in 2008) and the RFCTLARR Act, 2013, adhering to policy directives that require land acquisition to be completed before the commencement of new rail lines to prevent cost escalations. These efforts are part of a broader plan involving 764 kilometers of new rail lines across Bihar’s Seemanchal region to improve connectivity with West Bengal and the North-Eastern states.