Only 640 hectares acquired for Bengal’s railway projects, 79% of required land still pending

The Ministry of Railways has highlighted significant delays in ongoing railway infrastructure projects across West Bengal due to land acquisition challenges. As of April 1, 2024, there are 43 railway projects in the state, covering a total of 4,479 kilometers and costing Rs 60,168 crore. These projects, which are being carried out under the Eastern Railway, South Eastern Railway, and North East Frontier Railway zones, include 13 new lines, 4 gauge conversion projects, and 26 doubling projects.

Despite a substantial increase in funding—rising from Rs 4,380 crore (2009-14) to Rs 13,941 crore (2024-25)—progress remains slow. The total land required for these projects is 3,040 hectares, but only 640 hectares (21%) have been acquired as of now, leaving 2,400 hectares (79%) yet to be secured. The Ministry has emphasized that land acquisition for these projects is conducted through state governments, and the slow pace of land acquisition has emerged as the most significant bottleneck.

Several key projects are particularly delayed due to land acquisition issues. The Nabadwipghat-Nabadwipdham new line, covering 10 kilometers, requires 106.86 hectares, of which only 0.17 hectares have been acquired. The Chandaneshwar-Jaleswar new line, spanning 41 kilometers, requires 158 hectares, with no land acquired as of now. Similarly, the Naihati-Ranaghat third line, covering 36 kilometers, requires 87.83 hectares, but only 0.09 hectares have been acquired. Other major projects, such as the Balurghat-Hilli new line, which requires 156.38 hectares, have seen some progress, with 67.38 hectares acquired so far.

As of March 2024, a total of Rs 20,434 crore has been spent on these projects, with 1,655 kilometers already commissioned. However, despite this expenditure, many projects remain stalled or are progressing at a slower pace due to the slow acquisition of land. These projects are spread across the three railway zones and aim to improve railway connectivity, expand capacity, and modernize infrastructure in the state.

The Ministry of Railways has implemented several measures to speed up the execution of these projects. These measures include the establishment of Gati Shakti units to facilitate better coordination, prioritizing high-impact projects, and delegating greater decision-making powers to field officers. Additionally, the Ministry has been closely monitoring the progress of the projects and maintaining regular coordination with state governments and relevant authorities to expedite land acquisition and necessary clearances, including forest clearances and utility shifting.

The Ministry emphasized that successful completion of these projects depends not only on the timely acquisition of land but also on securing necessary clearances, resolving law and order issues, and addressing geological and climatic conditions. While the central government has committed substantial funding for these projects, their timely execution remains heavily dependent on the cooperation and support of the West Bengal government to accelerate the land acquisition process and address other challenges.