Birpara, (Jalpaiguri), July 13: Residents of Birpara are gearing up to make the most of the new trade and business opportunities that a broad-gauge railway line promises to bring their way.

At the Dalgaon station close to Birpara, the newly-laid tracks shine in the sun as renovation work continues. With the conversion of the metre-gauge track to a broad-gauge line, the connection between Siliguri Junction and Alipurduar will be much faster and efficient.

The residents of Birpara hope that the train service will boost the prospects of trade and commerce in the region. Prasanta Naha, a resident of Birpara said: “This provides a lot of scope for us. With the scale of operations increasing every day in Birpara, we feel that this broad gauge line will provide us with the opportunity to give the local economy a much needed thrust.”

Often referred to as the “second Siliguri” and the capital of Dooars, Birpara is centrally located and is a commercial hub transacting business worth crores everyday. Added to this is its proximity to Bhutan.

In addition to the line, Birpara residents also voice their support for the proposed alignment of the East-West Corridor - that will connect Gujarat with Assam.

Secretary of Birpara Truck Owners’ Association Shambhunath Ghosh said: “we want the four-lane expressway to be constructed according to the blueprint laid out by the National Highways Authority of India.”

As the expressway is expected to pass through the area, the residents are sure that new avenues of trade and commerce will emerge.