Kolkata, August 9, 2026: Indian Railways is set to take up 423 km of new railway line projects in West Bengal to improve connectivity and strengthen passenger as well as freight movement, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said.
In a written reply in the Rajya Sabha, Vaishnaw said the proposed projects fall under the Eastern Railway, South Eastern Railway and Northeast Frontier Railway zones.
Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnawr also said that several railway projects in the state had earlier faced delays due to issues related to land acquisition, law and order, and lack of cooperation from the state government.
However, considering public demand, the Railways has now decided to revive and take up these projects, Vaishnaw said.
The West Bengal government has also formed a task force headed by the Chief Secretary to accelerate railway projects in the state. The task force will monitor the progress of projects and work towards resolving implementation-related issues.
Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw further stated that 21 railway line projects worth ₹36,651 crore are currently underway in West Bengal.
The proposed expansion is expected to improve rail connectivity across several parts of the state while supporting passenger travel, freight transportation and regional economic activity.
