West Bengal accelerates land purchase for new rail link to border region

West Bengal's administration has authorized the rapid acquisition of roughly 380 hectares for a new 20-kilometre railway stretch linking Chalsa and Naxak. The line, first approved in the 2011-12 budget, had been delayed because of insufficient state support. The proposed track will run through the Jalpaiguri and Kalimpong forest divisions, starting near Khunia More and moving toward the India-China-Bhutan tri-junction close to Doklam.

Officials indicated that a combined survey by Indian Railways and the forest department will take place once the monsoon subsides. The government expects the rail link to improve strategic connectivity to the border area and to stimulate tourism in the Jhaldhaka-Bindu-Todey Tangta corridor. This move revives a stalled infrastructure project with both security and economic objectives.