Indian Railways plans 2,455 km works to improve Haldia Port connectivity (Image generated using AI)Rail projects to boost Haldia Port connectivity: Indian Railways has taken up 2,455 km of infrastructure works and surveys to improve connectivity to Haldia Port. The initiative aims to enhance freight movement, improve logistics efficiency and strengthen rail links to one of eastern India’s key ports.In a written reply in the Rajya Sabha on Friday, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw shared data showing that works and surveys covering a total of 2,455 km have been taken up to improve connectivity to Haldia Port.The minister was responding to questions raised by Rajya Sabha MP Biswajit Sinha on whether only the survey for the Tamluk-Panskura 3rd and 4th line project had been sanctioned for improving connectivity to Haldia Port, while the project was yet to receive execution approval.The MP also sought details on the status of the survey, including completion of the Detailed Project Report (DPR), reasons for delay in sanction, and additional measures planned to strengthen rail evacuation capacity for Haldia Port. Improving Rail Connectivity to Haldia Port: 18 ProjectsProjects by Status18ProjectsSanctioned Projects, by CostDPR Prepared (Survey Completed)Awaiting cost sanctionSurvey Ongoing (DPR Not Yet Ready)The Sonnagar-Andal 3rd & 4th Line, at ₹13,606 Cr, accounts for over half of all sanctioned cost; land acquisition is mostly complete except forest diversion of 28 hectares.Source: Rajya SabhaExpress InfoGenIE “After preparation of DPR, sanctioning of project requires consultation with various stake-holders including State Governments and necessary approvals viz. appraisal of NITI Aayog, Ministry of Finance etc. As sanctioning of projects is a continuous and dynamic process, exact timelines cannot be fixed,” Vaishnaw said.The Railway Minister further stated that 1,187 km of railway line projects are currently under execution in the state. These include:The Railway Minister also said that sanctioning of any railway project depends on several parameters, including anticipated traffic projections, financial viability of the proposed route, first and last mile connectivity, and connecting missing links or providing additional routes.Story continues below this adOther factors include augmentation of congested or saturated lines, demands raised by state governments, central ministries and public representatives, railway operational requirements, socio-economic considerations, and overall availability of funds.Anish 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