Barsoi–Radhikapur branch line

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Barsoi–Radhikapur Branch Line

Overview
The Barsoi–Radhikapur Branch Line is a 53.44 km single-track railway in eastern India. It runs from Barsoi Junction in West Bengal to Radhikapur station near the India–Bangladesh border. The line is broad gauge (1676 mm), electrified, and operated by Indian Railways under the Northeast Frontier Railway zone. It has 10 stations, with seven in Uttar Dinajpur district of West Bengal and the rest in Katihar district of Bihar.

History
The line began as a metre-gauge railway built in 1889 by the Assam Behar State Railway, extending from Parbatipur (now in Bangladesh) to Katihar. After the 1947 partition, Katihar–Radhikapur remained in India, while Biral–Parbatipur became part of Pakistan (Bangladesh later). When the broader route was realigned to Go through Dalkhola–Barsoi–Malda, this section became a branch line.

Gauge conversion and border facilities
- The Barsoi–Radhikapur section was converted to broad gauge in 2006.
- The corresponding Bangladesh side opposite the line is Biral in Dinajpur District.
- The transit facility at the Radhikapur–Birol border was suspended in 2005 but later converted to broad gauge; from March 2017 freight trains (including Nepal–Bangladesh traffic) began using this route, and the facility was officially opened in April 2017.
- The Indian side uses broad gauge, while the Bangladesh side uses dual gauge.

Current status
There are 10 stations along the route, serving passengers and freight across the region. The line connects the Howrah–New Jalpaiguri corridor at Barsoi with the India–Bangladesh border at Radhikapur.