Aiming to improve rail links across eastern and northern India, the Jaipur (Khatipura)–Tatanagar–Santragachi Express was inaugurated on Monday, October 26, 2026. The service is expected to enhance connectivity across Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal.
Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw participated in the inauguration ceremony via video conferencing, while Suvendu Adhikari, Chief Minister of West Bengal, was present at the event in person. This new train service is expected to provide better rail facilities to migrant workers, students, traders and other passengers traveling between the five states.
Addressing the programme, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw highlighted the expansion of railway infrastructure in Jharkhand, stating that the state’s annual railway budget allocation had increased from ₹450 crore to ₹7,500 crore. He added that railway projects worth approximately ₹75,000 crore were underway in the state, while 57 stations were being redeveloped under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme.
Across the country, the redevelopment of over 1,300 stations has been undertaken as part of this scheme. In West Bengal, projects are underway at several stations, including Santragachi, Jalpaiguri Road, Joychandi Pahar, Haldia, and Kamakhyaguri.
Vaishnaw also mentioned that work is underway to expand the Howrah-Kharagpur-Chakulia-Tatanagar railway corridor to four lines. Additionally, a 4.5-kilometer section of the Kolkata Metro—part of the Beleghata–IT Center stretch—has been completed, and trial runs are currently being conducted on it.
West Bengal’s railway funding has seen a significant rise, with the average annual allocation increasing from ₹4,380 crore in 2009–14 to ₹14,205 crore for 2026–27, according to an official. He noted that the higher funding would support the expansion and modernisation of railway infrastructure while improving transport links across the state.
(PIB)
