2 min readAug 7, 2026 02:15 PM ISTIndian Railways plans 423 km of new lines for West Bengal (Image generated using AI)New railway line projects in West Bengal: Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Friday said 423 km of new lines will be taken up in West Bengal. The move aims to further improve regional connectivity, strengthen freight and passenger movement. The rail infrastructure projects in the state falls under the jurisdiction of three railway zones: Eastern Railway (ER), South Eastern Railway (SER) and Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) zones.In a written reply in the Rajya Sabha, Vaishnaw said that several railway projects in West Bengal were sanctioned as individual or as part of ongoing projects. However, many of them could not be taken up due to issues such as delays in land acquisition, law and order problems, and lack of cooperation from the state government. He added that, considering public demand, the Railways has decided to take up these projects again.The Union Minister further said that the West Bengal government has constituted a task force, headed by the Chief Secretary, to speed up railway connectivity projects, monitor their progress, and help resolve implementation issues across the state.Also Read | Indian Railways: RAC passengers in AC coaches must get complete bedroll kitThe minister further said that 21 railway line projects worth Rs 36,651 crore are currently under way in West Bengal. These are as follows:The Railway Minister said the state government granted permission in May 2026 for the temporary diversion of traffic at Chingrighata crossing to facilitate the launching of viaduct segments for the Kolkata Metro project. He said the approval came nearly 1.5 years after the Railways made the request, and the work at the Chingrighata crossing was completed in May 2026.© IE Online Media Services Pvt LtdAnish Mondal is a journalist with over nine years of experience covering the railways and roadways. Currently a member of the Indianexpress.com editorial team, Anish specializes in high-impact sectors. Professional Journey Anish began his career at the public broadcaster Rajya Sabha Television (now Sansad TV), where he developed a foundational understanding of legislative processes and national governance. In 2018, he transitioned to digital financial journalism at FinancialExpress.com, spending nearly six years refining his expertise in market trends and corporate reporting. Before joining The Indian Express in 2025, he served as a key contributor at ETNowNews.com. Education & Expertise Anish’s reporting is backed by a rigorous academic background in communication and the humanities: Master of Journalism and Mass Communication (MJMC) – Apeejay Stya University Post Graduate Diploma in Journalism and Production (PGTVRJP) – Apeejay Institute of Mass Communication Bachelor of Arts (English Honours) – University of Calcutta Areas of Coverage Connectivity: Detailed reporting on the expansion of Indian Railways and National Highway networks. ... Read More AdvertisementLoading Recommendations...Advertisement