NFR reviews safety, progress of Balurghat-Hili rail project in Bengal
Guwahati, May 21
Northeast Frontier Railway General Manager Ashish Bansal conducted a comprehensive safety inspection and detailed review of the ongoing developmental works in the Eklakhi-Balurghat and Balurghat-Hili sections in West Bengal, officials said on Thursday.
NFR Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) Kapinjal Kishore Sharma said that the inspection focused on assessing railway infrastructure, track conditions, station development works, bridges, passenger amenities, operational preparedness, and the overall progress of construction activities under the Balurghat-Hili New Broad Gauge Line Project.
According to the CPRO, the Balurghat-Hili New Broad Gauge Line Project, spanning a total length of 29.257 km in the Dakshin Dinajpur district of West Bengal, is being executed at an estimated cost of Rs 1,181.09 crore.
He said that the project is aimed at strengthening rail connectivity in the region and accelerating socio-economic development.
For the implementation of the project, 100 per cent land acquisition covering 156.38 hectares has already been completed, and the acquired land has been handed over to the Railways.
The project includes the construction of 11 major bridges, 43 minor bridges, station buildings, road over bridges (ROBs), road under bridges (RUBs), staff quarters, track formation, and other related railway infrastructure works.
Sharma said that developmental activities are progressing continuously in different sections of the project to ensure its timely completion.
The target date for completion of the project has been fixed for March 2027.
During the inspection, special emphasis was laid on safety standards, quality of construction works, progress of bridge construction, station infrastructure, utility shifting, and operational preparedness to ensure safe and reliable train operations in the future.
The General Manager also reviewed the progress of key infrastructure works being executed under the project, including major bridges, minor bridges, ROBs, RUBs, and station-related development activities.
In addition, ongoing Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) works in the Balurghat-Kumedpur and Labha-Kumedpur sections were also assessed during the inspection programme.
On May 21, trolley inspection activities were also carried out to further review safety aspects and monitor the progress of ongoing developmental works in the section.
Senior officials from the NFR Headquarters, along with officials from the Katihar division of Bihar, accompanied the inspection programme.
The visit reflects Northeast Frontier Railway's continued commitment towards strengthening railway infrastructure, enhancing safety standards, and expediting developmental activities to provide safer, faster, and more efficient rail services across the region, the CPRO pointed out.
The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR), headquartered at Maligaon near Guwahati, operates across the Northeastern states as well as in seven districts of West Bengal and five districts of north Bihar.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Good to see NFR taking safety seriously with trolley inspections. But Rs 1,181 crore for just 29 km seems quite steep. Hope the money is used wisely and not wasted on unnecessary delays or cost overruns like we've seen in other projects. Also, why is this being monitored from Guwahati and Katihar? Local officials should be more involved.
Great initiative! This will connect the remote areas of Dakshin Dinajpur to the broader rail network. But I hope they also consider environmental impact - 11 major bridges and 43 minor bridges will affect local ecology. Need proper drainage to prevent waterlogging in this flood-prone region. 🤞
Impressive scale of work - 156 hectares acquired, 54 bridges planned. The EPC model should ensure faster execution. However, as a frequent traveler in West Bengal, I've seen many railway projects delayed due to land issues. Glad that's sorted here. Hope they maintain quality standards for the ROBs and RUBs - safety first!
As someone from Malda, this is long overdue. The border areas near Hili have been neglected for decades. This railway line will boost trade and tourism. But I'm skeptical about the March 2027 deadline - government projects rarely finish on time. Let's see if the GM's personal supervision makes a difference. Fingers crossed! 🇮🇳
Very happy to see this development! My family is from Balurghat and we've always struggled with poor connectivity. After decades of waiting, finally new rail lines are coming. Hope they also increase
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