Railway Ministry sanctions preliminary survey for rail line

The Railway Ministry has sanctioned a preliminary survey for the 138-km long new rail line between Sagar Port and Dankuni, in a boost to the proposed deep sea port at Sagar Island in Bengal.

"The chief administrative officer (administration) will conduct a preliminary survey for a new line between Sagar and Dankuni here," Eastern Railway General Manager Ghanshyam Singh said.

The ministry, in the general Budget placed before the Parliament, has sanctioned the preliminary survey for the new lines from Sagar Port to Dankuni via Kashinagar, Kulpi, Bakrahat, Majherhat, Shalimar, Santragachi.

Eastern Railway will set up three new Rail Over Bridge (ROB) at Ambika Kalna station. The cost will be around Rs 19.60 crores. The Union Budget which includes allocations for developing railway infrastructure, has revealed this on Friday. Pink Book is a document of Indian Railways which has the details of all the Budgetary allotment in Railway project.

On the other hand, the South Eastern Railways said that the total outlay for projects in West Bengal for 2017-18 is Rs.6,336 crore. The outlay for Traffic facility works in Bengal for 2017-18, is Rs. 435.51 crore.

There is a provision of connection of line between Radhanagar siding line of Adra Division to Barachak and Y connection to Sitarampur station of Asansol Division in South-Eastern Railway.

Dum Dum to Tollygunge Metro railways, including extension between Tollygunge-Garia, Dum Dum-Baranagar and Noapara-NSCB Airport were allocated funds.

The construction work of Metro railway in Noapara to Barasat via Airport was allocated funds as well. Construction of Metro Railway, from Baranagar-Barrackpore to Dakshineswar, Dum Dum Airport and New Garia via Rajarhat were also allocated funds.

Eastern Railway, however, will set up 30 manned level crossing gates, the cost will be around Rs 23 36 crores. LED lights will be installed in Howrah station. The will be around 4.84 crores.

According to the Budget Estimate (BE), the passenger earnings for 2016-17 was to be Rs 51,012 crore. But the real figure till March 31, 2017 is expected to be only Rs 48,000 crore.