NJP Railway Station Redevelopment to Boost Rail Connectivity in North Bengal and Northeast: Raju Bista

Amrit Bharat Station Scheme project to double passenger capacity and modernise facilities

KalimNews, January 16, 2026, Siliguri : Darjeeling Member of Parliament Raju Bista on Friday said that the ongoing redevelopment work at New Jalpaiguri (NJP) railway station will significantly improve rail services for the people of North Bengal, the Darjeeling hills, the Terai, the Dooars and the northeastern region. The MP accompanied Union Minister for Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw during an inspection of the station, where extensive upgradation work is currently underway under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme.

Highlighting the scale and importance of the project, Bista said the redevelopment is being fully funded by the Central Government with an investment of around Rs 500 crore. Once completed, New Jalpaiguri is set to emerge as a modern, world-class railway station equipped with enhanced passenger amenities and improved operational infrastructure, aimed at delivering a better travel experience for commuters.

According to the MP, the project will substantially increase the passenger-handling capacity of the station. At present, NJP caters to approximately 60,000 passengers daily, but following redevelopment, the station will be capable of handling nearly 1.2 lakh passengers per day. He noted that this expansion is essential to meet the growing travel demands of the region and to ensure smoother, safer and more efficient railway operations.

In a statement, Bista said, “I accompanied the Hon’ble Minister of Railways, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw ji, in inspecting the ongoing developmental work at NJP, which is being undertaken under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme. This transformative project, fully funded by the Central Government at around Rs 500 crore, will convert NJP into a world-class facility. This is being done to better serve the people of the Darjeeling hills, Terai, Dooars, North Bengal and the Northeast region.”

He further emphasised that doubling the station’s capacity from the current 60,000 passengers per day to 1.2 lakh will play a crucial role in handling increased passenger traffic and strengthening regional rail connectivity.

The MP also noted that the upgradation of NJP comes at a time of major railway initiatives in the state, pointing out that the following day, the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will flag off nearly 12 trains in West Bengal, including India’s first Vande Bharat Sleeper train, marking another milestone in the expansion and modernisation of rail services in the region.