West Bengal Clears Fast-Track Land Acquisition For Strategic Rail Link Near Doklam

The West Bengal government has approved fast-tracking the acquisition of nearly 380 hectares of land for the strategically significant Chalsa-Naxak railway line, bringing rail connectivity closer to the India-China-Bhutan tri-junction near Doklam. The long-pending project, originally sanctioned in 2011-12 and stalled since 2019, has now been revived. The Railways has also sanctioned around Rs 272 crore for a new 17-km railway line to Jaldhaka, aimed at improving border connectivity and boosting tourism in North Bengal. A joint survey by the Railways and the West Bengal Forest Department will begin after the monsoon.