Ranaghat-Krishnanagar 3rd line in final sanction stage
The Statesman | 3 August 2025
Moving a step ahead in capacity enhancement, Eastern Railway’s proposed third line between Ranaghat and Krishnanagar City has reached the final stage of sanction after an approval from the Railway Board.
According to official sources, the project under Sealdah Division has already been passed and approved by the Railway Board. It has also been endorsed by the chief executive officer and chairman of Railway Board and other key members of Railway Board like Member/Infra, Member Operations and Business Development, Member Finance and has now been placed for sanction by the railways minister, Ashwini Vaishnaw.
Notably, the Ranaghat – Krishnanagar City is a double line section and is a part of Ranaghat – Murshidabad – Lalgola route, which accommodates both passenger and freight traffic. Ranaghat station is situated in Kolkata – Gede (Bangladesh border) section. The current line capacity of the double line section is 113.8 per cent.
The upcoming third line from Ranaghat to Krishnanagar City covering 26 km is expected to increase the current line capacity to 169 per cent by 2028-29 and mitigate the congestion in this part of the railway network. The proposed project under the umbrella for multi tracking/flyover/bypass line for capacity augmentation is expected to transport additional freight to Bangladesh through the proposed route via Gede-Darshana for the international business purpose with Bangladesh. Also, after commissioning of Nasipur Bridge over river Ganges between Azimganj and Murshidabad, additional freight traffic of commodities like fertilizer, stone and container is expected to be diverted to this section.
Apart from this, two new goods sheds, one at Dhubulia and one at Murshidabad have been commissioned in March 2024 while one coaching terminal has been planned in Berhampore Court. This will increase traffic in this route which can be effectively dealt with by constructing this Line project.
As learnt from the Eastern Railway office, the project is identified under Mission 3000MT of Indian Railways. The project is designed to be completed within three years, with an anticipated cost of Rs 474.09 crore.