The Jaipur Tatanagar Santragachi Express was flagged off on Monday by Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari to strengthen rail connectivity across five states.
Vaishnaw participated in the programme through video conferencing. The new service connects Jaipur with Jamshedpur and Kolkata, improving rail links between Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal.
The Railway Ministry said the service would benefit migrant workers, business communities, students and other passengers travelling between these regions.
Railway investment in Jharkhand increases to Rs 7,500 crore
Highlighting railway development in Jharkhand, Vaishnaw said the state’s railway budget allocation had increased from ₹450 crore to ₹7,500 crore, around 16 times the earlier amount.
He added that 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, according to the minister.
More than 1,300 railway stations taken up for redevelopment
Vaishnaw said station redevelopment was underway across the country, with more than 1,300 stations taken up under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme.
In West Bengal, stations including Santragachi, Jalpaiguri Road, Joychandi Pahar, Haldia and Kamakhyaguri are also undergoing redevelopment.
The minister said railway infrastructure projects were being planned with the needs of middle-class and economically weaker families in mind. He highlighted the role of railways as an affordable mode of transport for passengers across income groups.
Four-line railway expansion and Kolkata Metro progress
Vaishnaw said work was underway to expand the railway line connecting Howrah, Kharagpur, Chakulia and Tatanagar to four lines.
He also said a 4.5-km section connected to the Beleghata-IT Centre of Kolkata Metro had been completed, with trial runs commenced. The section is expected to provide connectivity with the Green Line.
West Bengal railway allocation rises to Rs 14,205 crore
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari thanked the Railway Minister for railway infrastructure projects being undertaken in the state.
Adhikari 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 higher allocation would support railway infrastructure development and improve connectivity across West Bengal.
The new Jaipur Tatanagar Santragachi Express adds another rail link across eastern and northern India, with the government citing passenger mobility, education, employment and trade as key areas expected to benefit.
