India, Aug. 13 -- A fourth railway line through the strategically important 'Chicken's Neck' corridor has been approved by the Centre, a senior official said.

Northeast Frontier Railway General Manager Chetan Kumar Shrivastava said the Malda-New Jalpaiguri section is a crucial rail corridor connecting the Northeast with other parts of the country.

"A third line had earlier been proposed for the section, but approval has now been accorded for a fourth line as well. In addition, the nearly 29-km double-line underground project between Tinmai Ghat and Bagdogra is another important infrastructure initiative," he said, addressing a press conference on Wednesday night.

Given the strategic importance of the region, the railways is laying spec...