New Express Train To Link Jaipur, Jamshedpur And Kolkata
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari flag off new service to improve travel, trade, education and employment links across five states.
- New express connects Jaipur, Tatanagar and Santragachi
- Service benefits passengers across five states
- Jharkhand railway allocation rises to ₹7,500 crore
- West Bengal allocation reaches ₹14,205 crore for 2026–27
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 26th Oct: Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Monday flagged off the Jaipur (Khatipura)–Tatanagar–Santragachi Express train, a new service aimed at strengthening rail connectivity across Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal.
Vaishnaw joined the programme through video conferencing, while West Bengal ministers, public representatives and other dignitaries attended the event.
The Railway Minister said the service would improve connections between Jaipur, Jamshedpur and Kolkata, benefiting migrant workers, business communities, students and other passengers travelling between the regions. He added that improved rail services could support employment, education and trade.
Railway Infrastructure Investment In Jharkhand
Vaishnaw highlighted the increase in railway budget allocation for Jharkhand, from ₹450 crore to ₹7,500 crore. He said railway projects worth approximately ₹75,000 crore were underway in the state.
Under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, 57 stations in Jharkhand are being redeveloped. Work has been completed at several stations, including Godda, Govindpur Road, Lohardaga, Madhupur and Muri.
The minister also said more than 1,300 railway stations across the country had been taken up for redevelopment. In West Bengal, projects are underway at stations including Santragachi, Jalpaiguri Road, Joychandi Pahar, Haldia and Kamakhyaguri.
More Railway And Metro Projects Underway
Vaishnaw said railway development was being planned with the needs of middle-class and economically weaker families in mind, as trains remain an important mode of affordable transport. He added that station redevelopment and better connectivity would benefit passengers across income groups.
He also noted that work was underway to expand the Howrah–Kharagpur–Chakulia–Tatanagar railway corridor to four lines.
The minister further stated that a 4.5-kilometre section connected to Kolkata Metro’s Beleghata–IT Centre stretch had been completed and trial runs had begun. The section is expected to provide connectivity with the Green Line.
West Bengal Sees Higher Railway Allocation
Adhikari thanked the Railway Minister for infrastructure projects being undertaken in West Bengal. He said the state’s annual average railway budget allocation had increased from ₹4,380 crore during 2009–2014 to ₹14,205 crore for 2026–27.
He said the increased allocation would support railway infrastructure development and improve connectivity across the state.
