Ranaghat-Bongaon Rail Doubling Approved for ₹396 Cr.

The Railway Board has sanctioned ₹396.04 crore for the doubling of the 32 km Ranaghat–Bongaon railway line under Eastern Railway’s Sealdah Division.

This strategic infrastructure upgrade aims to boost both passenger and freight capacity while enhancing cross-border trade connectivity via the Petrapole Land Port on the India–Bangladesh border. Currently operating at 114% of line capacity, the corridor is a critical link between Nadia and North 24 Parganas districts.

Once completed, the project is expected to enable 10 additional passenger trains per direction daily and accommodate an additional 0.88 million tonnes of freight annually, potentially generating ₹8.66 crore in incremental revenue.

The scope of work includes upgrades at nine stations and the construction of two Limited Height Subways — one between Ranaghat–Majhergram and another between Majhergram–Gopalnagar. Ranaghat is a key junction on the Sealdah–Krishnanagar–Lalgola route, while Bongaon lies on the Sealdah–Petrapole corridor.

The doubling project is expected to reduce congestion, improve punctuality, and meet the growing transit demand in this rapidly developing border region.

News by Rahul Yelligetti.