Guwahati, May 21 (IANS) Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) General Manager (Construction) Ashish Bansal conducted a comprehensive safety inspection and detailed review of the ongoing developmental works in the Eklakhi-Balurghat and Balurghat-Hili sections in West Bengal, officials said on Thursday.

NFR Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) Kapinjal Kishore Sharma said that the inspection focused on assessing railway infrastructure, track conditions, station development works, bridges, passenger amenities, operational preparedness, and the overall progress of construction activities under the Balurghat-Hili New Broad Gauge Line Project.

According to the CPRO, the Balurghat-Hili New Broad Gauge Line Project, spanning a total length of 29.257 km in the Dakshin Dinajpur district of West Bengal, is being executed at an estimated cost of Rs 1,181.09 crore.

He said that the project is aimed at strengthening rail connectivity in the region and accelerating socio-economic development.

For the implementation of the project, 100 per cent land acquisition covering 156.38 hectares has already been completed, and the acquired land has been handed over to the Railways.

The project includes the construction of 11 major bridges, 43 minor bridges, station buildings, road over bridges (ROBs), road under bridges (RUBs), staff quarters, track formation, and other related railway infrastructure works.

Sharma said that developmental activities are progressing continuously in different sections of the project to ensure its timely completion.

The target date for completion of the project has been fixed for March 2027.

During the inspection, special emphasis was laid on safety standards, quality of construction works, progress of bridge construction, station infrastructure, utility shifting, and operational preparedness to ensure safe and reliable train operations in the future.

The General Manager also reviewed the progress of key infrastructure works being executed under the project, including major bridges, minor bridges, ROBs, RUBs, and station-related development activities.

In addition, ongoing Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) works in the Balurghat-Kumedpur and Labha-Kumedpur sections were also assessed during the inspection programme.

On May 21, trolley inspection activities were also carried out to further review safety aspects and monitor the progress of ongoing developmental works in the section.

Senior officials from the NFR Headquarters, along with officials from the Katihar division of Bihar, accompanied the inspection programme.

The visit reflects Northeast Frontier Railway’s continued commitment towards strengthening railway infrastructure, enhancing safety standards, and expediting developmental activities to provide safer, faster, and more efficient rail services across the region, the CPRO pointed out.

The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR), headquartered at Maligaon near Guwahati, operates across the Northeastern states as well as in seven districts of West Bengal and five districts of north Bihar.

–IANS

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