📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Deepajyoti21
National
Farakka rail link restoration near completion, North Bengal trains likely to run soon
✍️ The Hindu
🗓 06 Sep 2026, 03:04 PM
👁 3
Work on the Farakka railway bridge is almost finished, paving the way for the resumption of passenger services to North Bengal.
Indian Railways has reported that the restoration work on the Farakka railway bridge, a critical link on the Howrah‑New Jalpaiguri route, is nearing its final stages. The bridge, which spans the Ganga in West Bengal, had been out of service for several months, disrupting long‑distance trains that connect the capital with North Bengal.
Officials say that once the remaining civil and signaling tasks are completed, passenger trains are expected to restart operations within the next few weeks. The revival of this corridor will restore regular connectivity for commuters, tourists and freight operators travelling between Kolkata and the northern districts of West Bengal as well as the neighboring state of Assam.
Railway authorities have also indicated that the resumption will ease the pressure on alternative routes that have been handling diverted traffic. The prompt completion reflects the agency’s focus on restoring vital infrastructure after the prolonged outage.
Stakeholders, including local business groups and passenger associations, have welcomed the progress, noting that the bridge’s reopening will boost regional trade and provide relief to daily travelers who have been relying on longer, costlier journeys.
Officials say that once the remaining civil and signaling tasks are completed, passenger trains are expected to restart operations within the next few weeks. The revival of this corridor will restore regular connectivity for commuters, tourists and freight operators travelling between Kolkata and the northern districts of West Bengal as well as the neighboring state of Assam.
Railway authorities have also indicated that the resumption will ease the pressure on alternative routes that have been handling diverted traffic. The prompt completion reflects the agency’s focus on restoring vital infrastructure after the prolonged outage.
Stakeholders, including local business groups and passenger associations, have welcomed the progress, noting that the bridge’s reopening will boost regional trade and provide relief to daily travelers who have been relying on longer, costlier journeys.