Vande Bharat train services are set to be extended from Guwahati to Agartala and Tinsukia, improving faster and more comfortable rail connectivity across the Northeast. NFR General Manager Chetan Kumar Shrivastava also highlighted major infrastructure projects, including a fourth railway line through the strategically important Siliguri Corridor and ongoing railway network expansion.
Vande Bharat train services are set to be extended beyond Guwahati to Agartala and Tinsukia, marking a significant step towards improving rail connectivity and passenger services across Northeast India. Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) General Manager Chetan Kumar Shrivastava said the proposed services would operate in both directions and provide passengers with faster, more comfortable and efficient rail travel.
Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, Shrivastava outlined several major railway infrastructure and connectivity initiatives being undertaken across the Northeast. The proposed extension of Vande Bharat services to Agartala is expected to strengthen connectivity between Tripura and other important destinations in the region, while the extension towards Tinsukia would further enhance high-speed rail connectivity in Assam and neighbouring areas.
According to the NFR General Manager, the introduction of Vande Bharat services on these routes would offer passengers a modern travel option while supporting improved regional connectivity. The expansion is part of broader efforts by the Railways to upgrade infrastructure, increase capacity and improve passenger convenience across the Northeast.
Shrivastava also highlighted a major infrastructure development involving the strategically important Siliguri Corridor, popularly known as the ‘Chicken’s Neck’. The Centre has approved the construction of a fourth railway line through the corridor, which serves as a vital rail and transport link connecting the northeastern states with the rest of India.
The Malda-New Jalpaiguri railway section is particularly important because of its strategic and logistical significance. The Siliguri Corridor is a narrow stretch of land in north Bengal, measuring around 20-22 km in width and nearly 60 km in length. It provides the crucial land connection between the Northeast and the rest of the country.
” A third line had earlier been proposed for the section, but approval has now been accorded for a fourth line as well,” Shrivastava said. He added that a nearly 29-km double-line underground project between Tinmai Ghat and Bagdogra is another important infrastructure initiative aimed at strengthening the railway network in the strategically sensitive region.
The NFR General Manager said special emphasis was being placed on increasing railway capacity along the corridor due to its strategic importance. Once the ongoing and proposed projects are completed, the entire rail corridor is expected to undergo a major transformation, creating a more organised and efficient railway network.
Work on doubling the railway line in the Barsoi section is also underway. At the same time, infrastructure is being expanded across the Katihar division to accommodate increasing passenger and freight traffic.
Shrivastava said NFR had introduced 42 new trains on different routes during the previous year. Around 250 new stoppages were also provided to improve passenger convenience and make railway services more accessible to people in different parts of the region.
The redevelopment of New Jalpaiguri railway station is progressing rapidly and is expected to be completed by April 2027. The station is among the key railway facilities in the region and plays an important role in connecting the Northeast with other parts of the country.
The Railways is also working towards introducing new local train services from Jogbani, Radhikapur and Balurghat. These proposed services are expected to improve connectivity for passengers living in border and remote areas.
Another major achievement highlighted by Shrivastava was the completion of 100 per cent electrification of the NFR network. With electrification completed, efforts are now being accelerated to expand the operation of electric trains across the network.
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The proposed Vande Bharat extensions, along with major infrastructure projects and expanded train services, underline the Railways’ broader focus on improving connectivity, capacity and passenger convenience across Northeast India. The extension of Vande Bharat services to Agartala is particularly significant for Tripura, offering the possibility of faster and more comfortable rail travel and strengthening the state’s connection with the wider railway network.
