Indian Railways is launching a major initiative to enhance access to Haldia Port, encompassing 2,455 kilometers of infrastructure projects and surveys. This effort seeks to increase freight movement and optimize logistics while reinforcing rail connections to one of eastern India’s pivotal ports.
During a recent session in the Rajya Sabha, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw provided information indicating that a total of 2,455 kilometers of works and surveys have been initiated to bolster connectivity to Haldia Port.
The minister’s remarks came in response to inquiries from Rajya Sabha MP Biswajit Sinha, who questioned whether the Tamluk-Panskura 3rd and 4th line project was the only one approved for enhancing Haldia Port’s connectivity, despite its pending execution approval.
Sinha also requested updates regarding the status of the survey, including the completion of the Detailed Project Report (DPR), reasons for any delays in sanctioning, and additional strategies to enhance the rail evacuation capacity for Haldia Port.
The initiative aims to improve rail connectivity to Haldia Port through 18 distinct projects, collectively costing ₹25,106 crore and covering a total length of 2,455 kilometers across all initiatives.
Project Breakdown
- Sanctioned Projects: 8
- DPR Prepared: 8
- Surveys Ongoing: 2
Details of Sanctioned Projects by Cost
- Sonnagar-Andal 3rd & 4th Line (375 Km): ₹13,606 Cr
- Bhagalpur-Dumka-Rampurhat Doubling (177 Km): ₹3,169 Cr
- Santragachi-Kharagpur 4th Line (111 Km): ₹2,905 Cr
- Aluabari Road-New Jalpaiguri 3rd & 4th Line (57 Km): ₹1,786 Cr
- Sainthia-Pakur 4th Line (81 Km): ₹1,569 Cr
- Murarai-Barharwa 3rd Line (49 Km): ₹978 Cr
- Chandanpur-Shaktigarh 4th Line (43 Km): ₹750 Cr
- Pakur-Gumani 4th Line (18 Km): ₹343 Cr
As for the projects where DPRs have been prepared but await cost sanction, these include significant routes such as New Jalpaiguri-Kamakhya 3rd & 4th Line (445 Km) and Kharagpur-Jharsuguda (Bagdehi) 4th Line (367 Km).
Additionally, two projects are currently undergoing surveys without DPR completion: Khanna-Sainthia 3rd Line (84 Km) and Panskura-Tamluk 3rd & 4th Line (24 Km).
Notably, the Sonnagar-Andal 3rd & 4th Line project, valued at ₹13,606 crore, constitutes over half of the total sanctioned budget, with land acquisition nearly finished, apart from the diversion of 28 hectares of forest land.
Vaishnaw explained that the project sanctioning process entails consultations with various stakeholders, including state governments and necessary approvals from institutions like NITI Aayog and the Ministry of Finance. He emphasized that project sanctioning is an ongoing process, making it difficult to provide precise timelines for completion.
The Minister also highlighted that 1,187 kilometers of railway line projects are actively underway in West Bengal, encompassing a total sanctioned cost of ₹36,850 crore across 21 projects.
Current Railway Projects in West Bengal
- Total Sanctioned Cost: ₹36,850 Cr
- Combined Route Length: 1,187 Km
The Sivok-Rangpo New Line, despite its short distance of 44 kilometers, is the most expensive project, costing approximately 3.5 times more than the next highest project due to the challenging Himalayan terrain it covers.
Vaishnaw reiterated that the approval of railway projects hinges on multiple factors, such as traffic forecasts, financial feasibility, connectivity needs, and the necessity to alleviate congestion on existing routes.
