Share Biz Desk: India is going to build an alternative rail network over Bangladesh to connect the northeastern states with other states. The Indian media Times of India reported this information in a report last Sunday.
Currently, trains run to the northeastern states of India along with other states through the Siliguri Corridor, known as the ‘Chicken Neck’. This 22 km wide corridor passes through the region between Bangladesh and Nepal.
The purpose of building India’s rail network with Bangladesh is to reduce the dependence on this corridor called ‘chicken neck’.
In 2017, India became very worried about the ‘chicken neck’ rail corridor, which is very important for the transportation of military and civilian goods. That year a dispute arose between India and China over the Doklam region. And this rail corridor then falls in the midst of conflict zones, which has become a cause of concern for the country.
The project will have 14 new routes connecting Bangladesh. The routes will have a total of 861 km of railway line. There will be an alternative route over Bangladesh. In total, the railway line in this project will be 1 thousand 275.5 kilometers.
As part of the project, the old railway line will be replaced by a new railway line. On the other hand, a new railway line will be built in Bangladesh.
The Times of India also reported that India will build a railway line in Bangladesh taking advantage of the 1980 trade agreement.
Sabyasachi, CPRO of India’s Northeast Frontier Railway, told The Times of India, ‘This will reduce travel time from Kolkata to the northeastern states. Besides, this rail network will enrich the communication with Bangladesh. It will boost trade and tourism among neighboring countries.’