- New rail service to strengthen connectivity between Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal
- Improved rail service to boost employment, education, and trade
The Jaipur (Khatipura) – Tatanagar – Santragachi Express train was inaugurated today. On this occasion, the Union Minister of Railways, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, and the Chief Minister of West Bengal, Shri Suvendu Adhikari, flagged off the train. The Union Railway Minister, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, joined the event via video conferencing.
The event was attended by Shri Dilip Ghosh (Minister, Government of West Bengal), Shri Sunil Kothari (Mayor), Shri Bidyut Baran Mahato (Member of Parliament), Smt. Manju Sharma (Member of Parliament), and other public representatives and distinguished citizens.
Railway Minister Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw stated that the new train service, connecting Jaipur with Jamshedpur and Kolkata, will enhance rail connectivity across Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal. He noted that this new service will benefit migrant workers, business communities, students, and other travelers moving between these regions.
Highlighting railway development in Jharkhand, Shri Vaishnaw mentioned that the railway budget allocation for the state has increased from ₹450 crore to ₹7,500 crore—approximately 16 times the previous allocation. Projects worth nearly ₹75,000 crore are currently underway in the state. He further added that 57 railway stations in Jharkhand are being redeveloped under the ‘Amrit Bharat Station Scheme.’ Work has already been completed at several of these stations, including Godda, Govindpur Road, Lohardaga, Madhupur, and Muri.
The Railway Minister stated that redevelopment work is underway across the country under the ‘Amrit Bharat Station Scheme,’ with over 1,300 stations taken up for development. Several stations in West Bengal—including Santragachi, Jalpaiguri Road, Jaichandi Pahar, Haldia, and Kamakhyaguri—are also undergoing redevelopment.
Shri Vaishnaw noted that railway development is being carried out with a focus on the needs of the middle class and economically weaker families, for whom the railways serve as a primary, affordable mode of transport. He emphasized that station redevelopment and improved connectivity will benefit passengers across all income groups.
Shri Vaishnaw mentioned that work is in progress to expand the rail line connecting Howrah, Kharagpur, Chakulia, and Tatanagar into a four-track corridor. The Railway Minister further informed that a 4.5-kilometer section of the Kolkata Metro—linking to the IT Center in Beleghata—has been completed, and trial runs have commenced. He added that this section will provide connectivity to the ‘Green Line.’
During the event, Shri Suvendu Adhikari expressed his gratitude to Railway Minister Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw for the railway infrastructure projects being implemented in West Bengal.
Highlighting the increase in the railway budget allocation for West Bengal, Shri Adhikari noted that the average annual allocation, which stood at ₹4,380 crore during the 2009–2014 period, has risen to ₹14,205 crore for the year 2026–27. He remarked that this enhanced investment will be instrumental in developing railway infrastructure and improving connectivity within the state.