Indian Railways took a significant step toward modernising infrastructure and enhancing regional connectivity in West Bengal. Hon’ble Union Minister for Railways, Ashwini Vaishnaw, alongside dignitaries including Union MoS for Education Dr. Sukanta Majumdar and MPs Saumitra Khan and Prasun Banerjee, visited Santragachi Railway Station to inspect its redevelopment under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme. The scheme aims to transform Santragachi into a world-class transit hub with upgraded passenger amenities and modern infrastructure.
During the visit, Vaishnaw virtually flagged off Train No. 08121, a new MEMU service connecting Purulia to Howrah via Bankura and Masagram. The flag-off, joined virtually by MPs and MLAs from Purulia and Bankura, marks a milestone in fulfilling regional demands for faster, affordable rail travel. Covering 283 km, the service reduces travel distance by 41 km compared to the Kharagpur route and offers a fare of ₹60, making it ₹5 cheaper. This route revives the historic Bankura Damodar Railway, originally launched in 1916, converted to Broad Gauge in 2005, electrified in 2021, and extended to Masagram by 2012.
Speaking at the event, Vaishnaw highlighted the transformative vision of Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi, stating, “The vision of our Hon’ble PM has laid the foundation of this new Indian Railways, and over 1.2 million members of the Indian Railways family are working with dedication to make it a reality.” He emphasised the rapid progress in West Bengal, with 101 stations under redevelopment through the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme. “This is not just development; it’s the creation of a new format of Indian Railways, replacing 50-60-year-old stations with modern facilities,” he added.
The MEMU service enhances east-west mobility, benefiting daily commuters, including office-goers, students, and traders. The route integrates South Eastern Railway’s Bankura–Masagram line with Eastern Railway’s Howrah–Barddhaman chord line at Masagram junction, boosting connectivity across Purulia, Bankura, Hooghly, and Howrah districts. This development is expected to spur tourism, industrial growth, and economic activity in the region.
Indian Railways’ focus on citizen-centric solutions underscores its commitment to improving accessibility and mobility nationwide, aligning with the nation’s broader development goals.
