Farmers in Chitauna village of Siddharthnagar stopped the earth-filling work for the new Khalilabad-Bahraich railway line on April 17, 2026. The protest occurred because many land owners have not yet received compensation for their acquired property. This 240-kilometer project aims to connect several districts in the Terai region but local disputes over payments are causing interruptions in the construction progress.
👉: Bareilly Railway Update: Dwarkesh crossing near Fatehganj Poorvi to remain closed from April 18।
Why was the railway work stopped in Siddharthnagar?
The angry farmers stopped the contractor’s machinery while soil was being filled in their fields. They stated that although the government took over their land for the rail project, the promised compensation has not reached their bank accounts. They had previously filed complaints with the District Magistrate regarding this issue. After receiving news of the protest, Nayab Tehsildar Mahboob Alam and police forces arrived at the spot to manage the situation.
The official listened to the grievances of the farmers and the contractor. He instructed the contractor to stop work only on those specific plots where compensation is still pending. Following this decision, work resumed on the pieces of land where owners had already been paid. This move allowed the construction to continue in other areas while the administration looks into the unpaid claims.
Important details of the Khalilabad-Bahraich rail project
| Project Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Length | 240 Kilometers |
| Estimated Cost | ₹4939.78 Crore |
| Route Coverage | Khalilabad-Bansi-Dumariyaganj-Shravasti-Bahraich |
| Project Target | Completion by 2026 |
| Main Agency | North Eastern Railway, Gorakhpur |
This rail line project was first approved in October 2018 and received a significant budget push in February 2026. It is designed to link aspirational districts with the main Indian Railways network to boost development in the region. However, farmers in over 50 villages have raised concerns regarding low circle rates and delayed payments. Similar protests have been reported earlier in Pathra and Dumariyaganj where land acquisition boards were installed before funds were distributed.