Kolkata, July 25, 2025

 

In a written reply to an unstarred question raised in the Rajya Sabha by MP Shri Samik Bhattacharya today regarding the current status of the Sonnagar–Andal multitracking project and the proposal for Andal–Dankuni multitracking, the Minister of Railways, Information & Broadcasting and Electronics & Information Technology, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, provided key updates on both corridors.

The Minister stated that the Sonnagar–Andal multitracking project (375 km) has already been sanctioned at a cost of ₹12,334 crore, with more than 95% of the required 977.6 hectares of land acquired. The project execution has commenced on the land available, while further progress depends on standard procedural clearances and coordination with stakeholders, he said.

Regarding the Andal–Dankuni route (160 km), the Minister clarified that it is already a four-line section, except the Chandanpur–Shaktigarh stretch (43 km), which currently has only three lines. The construction of the fourth line on this section has been sanctioned at a cost of ₹700 crore.

Further, the Union Minister added that the Final Location Survey (FLS) has been sanctioned for the construction of fifth and sixth lines between Andal and Shaktigarh (91 km), which is a preparatory step towards formulating the Detailed Project Report (DPR). The DPR is currently under preparation and has not yet been submitted to the Railway Board, he pointed out.

Shri Vaishnaw reiterated that the railway projects are sanctioned based on a combination of operational need, traffic projections, economic feasibility, missing links and the demands raised by the public representatives and State Governments. He remarked that the sanctioning of new lines requires inter-ministerial consultations and approvals from bodies such as NITI Aayog and the Ministry of Finance.

The Minister emphasised that the completion timeline of any railway project is dependent on multiple factors including timely land acquisition, environmental clearances, relocation of utilities, law and order, terrain and climatic conditions, and availability of working months at the project site. Despite these challenges, efforts are being made to expedite the completion of both projects, he said.

 

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