Indian Railways plans a 35.76 km underground rail line through the Siliguri Corridor to ensure secure connectivity with Northeast India, enhancing defence logistics, disaster resilience, and strategic infrastructure under Northeast Frontier Railway.
Indian Railways has announced plans to construct a strategically significant underground railway line aimed at strengthening connectivity between mainland India and the Northeastern states. The ambitious infrastructure project will pass through the Siliguri Corridor in North Bengal, often referred to as the “Chicken’s Neck,” a narrow stretch of land that serves as the only land link to the Northeast.
According to Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) Chief Public Relations Officer Kapinjal Kishore Sharma, the underground railway route will extend from Tinmile Hat to Rangapani and Bagdogra in West Bengal’s Darjeeling district. The project has been conceived to ensure secure, uninterrupted, and resilient rail connectivity in one of the country’s most sensitive and strategically vital regions.
Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has underlined the national importance of the project, stating that the underground alignment is designed to provide reliable all-weather connectivity while addressing security concerns in the Siliguri Corridor. The corridor is critical as it connects the northeastern states with the rest of India and lies close to international borders.
The project will be executed under the Katihar Division of Northeast Frontier Railway and will span multiple administrative regions. It will cover parts of Darjeeling and Uttar Dinajpur districts in West Bengal, along with the Kishanganj district of Bihar. This multi-district alignment reflects the scale and complexity of the initiative.
The underground railway line will have a total length of 35.76 kilometres between Dumdangi and Bagdogra, including a 33.40-kilometre stretch from Dumdangi to Rangapani. Notably, the alignment will pass through the 22-kilometre-long Siliguri Corridor, ensuring a protected and robust transport route that remains functional during emergencies or disruptions.
Given the corridor’s proximity to Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh, and its vulnerability to natural disasters such as floods and landslides, the underground line is considered a critical national asset. It will offer a secure alternative for the movement of defence personnel, military equipment, and emergency relief supplies, particularly during times of crisis or geopolitical tension.
The project is also expected to significantly enhance air-rail logistics integration. Its close location to Bagdogra Air Force Station and Bengdubi Army Cantonment will allow seamless coordination between rail, air, and military infrastructure. This integration will improve response times and logistical efficiency for both civilian and defence operations.
Technologically, the underground railway line will incorporate several advanced features. These include a 2×25 kV AC electrification system, Automatic Signalling (Standard-IV) supported by VOIP-based communication, and bridges designed to meet RDSO 25-ton axle load standards. The tunnels will be constructed using a combination of Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) technology and the New Austrian Tunneling Method (NATM), ensuring high safety and engineering precision.
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The development of this underground rail corridor highlights Indian Railways’ commitment to strengthening strategic infrastructure in the Northeast. It aligns closely with the Government of India’s broader vision of integrated development, national security, and regional connectivity.
Headquartered in Maligaon near Guwahati, Northeast Frontier Railway plays a crucial role in railway operations across the Northeastern states, seven districts of West Bengal, and five districts of northern Bihar. This project further reinforces NFR’s role in driving connectivity, security, and economic growth in one of India’s most strategically important regions.
