Jaipur-Tatanagar-Santragachi Express flagged off by WB CM

Prayagraj: Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Tuesday flagged off the Jaipur (Khatipura)–Tatanagar–Santragachi Express, with Vaishnaw joining the programme conferencing.

The new service is expected to improve rail connectivity between Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal, benefiting migrant workers, business communities, students and other passengers. Several public representatives and dignitaries, including West Bengal Minister Dilip Ghosh, Mayor Sunil Kothari and MPs Bidyut Baran Mahato and Manju Sharma, attended the programme.

Vaishnaw highlighted the expansion of railway infrastructure in Jharkhand, stating that the annual railway budget allocation for the state had increased from ₹450 crore to ₹7,500 crore, while projects worth approximately ₹75,000 crore were underway.

He added that 57 stations in the state were being redeveloped under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme.

Across the country, more than 1,300 stations have been selected for redevelopment. In West Bengal, projects are underway at stations including Santragachi, Jalpaiguri Road, Joychandi Pahar, Haldia and Kamakhyaguri.

The minister emphasised that railway development was focused on middle-class and economically weaker families, for whom affordable rail transport remains essential.

He also said work was underway to expand the Howrah–Kharagpur–Chakulia–Tatanagar railway corridor to four lines.

Vaishnaw further announced that the 4.5-km section connected to Kolkata Metro’s Beleghata–IT Centre stretch had been completed, with trial runs underway. The section is expected to connect with the Green Line.