Railways reveals Chicken’s Neck underground line plan

Jalpaiguri: Indian Railways on Saturday revealed its comprehensive plan to construct a new underground railway line through the Siliguri corridor, often referred to as the "Chicken's Neck". The line was announced by the Centre recently.

The proposed underground line will extend from Tin Mile Hat to Rangapani and then onwards to Bagdogra. It will cover a total length of 35.8 km between Dumdangi and Bagdogra, with the Dumdangi–Rangapani section measuring 33.4 km. The alignment is planned primarily as an underground corridor to ensure secure and uninterrupted connectivity in the strategically sensitive Siliguri corridor, which is a vital connection between mainland India and the north-eastern states through a narrow stretch of land that is approximately 22 km wide in sections.


The underground railway line through the corridor, with proximity to international borders with Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh, will ensure uninterrupted connectivity during security-related disruptions, natural disasters and congestion.

"The underground alignment will provide a protected and non-visible alternative route, enabling uninterrupted movement of defence personnel, military equipment and emergency relief materials during exigencies. The project will also support air-rail logistics integration due to its proximity to Bagdogra Air Force Station and the Bengdubi Army Cantonment of the Indian Army's 33 Corps," said Kapinjal Kishore Sharma, CPRO of Northeast Frontier Railways.

The project proposes a 2×25 kV AC electrification system, automatic signalling (standard-IV) with VOIP-based communication on OFC and quad cables, bridges designed to RDSO 25-ton axle load standards, and twin tunnels using Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) methodology, with NATM tunnels for crossovers. Railways also plans to lay another pair of tracks between Malda and Dibrugarh, the FLS for which is near completion. This, once laid, will further smoothen connectivity in the region.