Indian Railways Reveals Ambitious Underground Railway Plan for Critical Siliguri Corridor
In a significant strategic infrastructure announcement, Indian Railways has detailed its comprehensive blueprint to construct a new underground railway line through the vital Siliguri corridor, famously known as the "Chicken's Neck." The project, recently announced by the central government, aims to bolster national security and regional connectivity.
Strategic Route and Technical Specifications
The proposed underground line will originate at Tin Mile Hat, proceed to Rangapani, and terminate at Bagdogra. Spanning a total length of 35.8 kilometers between Dumdangi and Bagdogra, the Dumdangi–Rangapani segment alone measures 33.4 kilometers. The alignment is predominantly designed as an underground corridor to guarantee secure and uninterrupted passage through this strategically sensitive area.
The Siliguri corridor serves as a crucial lifeline, connecting mainland India with the northeastern states via a narrow land strip that narrows to approximately 22 kilometers at certain points. Its proximity to international borders with Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh underscores its geopolitical importance.
Enhanced Security and Operational Benefits
This underground railway line is engineered to ensure continuous connectivity during security disruptions, natural disasters, and traffic 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," explained Kapinjal Kishore Sharma, Chief Public Relations Officer of Northeast Frontier Railways.
Additionally, the project will facilitate air-rail logistics integration due to its closeness to the Bagdogra Air Force Station and the Bengdubi Army Cantonment of the Indian Army's 33 Corps.
Advanced Engineering and Infrastructure Features
The railway project incorporates state-of-the-art technical specifications:
- A 2×25 kV AC electrification system for efficient power supply.
- Automatic signalling (standard-IV) with Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP)-based communication on Optical Fiber Cable (OFC) and quad cables.
- Bridges designed to meet RDSO 25-ton axle load standards for heavy-duty operations.
- Twin tunnels constructed using Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) methodology, with New Austrian Tunneling Method (NATM) tunnels for crossovers.
Complementary Regional Connectivity Initiatives
In parallel, Indian Railways is progressing with plans to lay another pair of tracks between Malda and Dibrugarh. The Final Location Survey (FLS) for this expansion is nearing completion. Once implemented, this additional track will further enhance connectivity and operational efficiency across the region, synergizing with the new underground line to create a robust transportation network.
This underground railway initiative represents a pivotal step in fortifying India's infrastructure resilience, ensuring that the strategic Siliguri corridor remains a reliable conduit for national security and economic integration with the northeastern states.
