HON’BLE UNION MINISTER OF RAILWAYS DEDICATED TO THE NATION/INAUGURATED VARIOUS RAILWAY PROJECTS IN WEST BENGAL & FLAGGED OFF NEW TRAIN SERVICES
- Dedication of extension of 5 platforms of Sealdah station to run more 12-coach EMU locals accommodating 3 lakh additional passengers daily*
- Commencement of passenger services over Nashipur Railway bridge establishing connecting rail link between both sides of the Bhagirathi river
Kolkata, October 2, 2024
Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, Hon’ble Union Minister of Railways, Information and Broadcasting, Electronics and Information Technology joined a Railway programme at Sealdah station today (2.10.2024) wherein he dedicated to the Nation the extension of 5 platforms (Platform No. 1 to 5) of Sealdah station to accommodate 12-coach EMU local trains, creating accommodation for 3 lakh additional passengers daily with more EMU locals being augmented from 9 coach to 12-coach rake. Shri Vaishnaw, Hon’ble Railway Minister also commenced passenger train services over Nashipur Railway Bridge in Murshidabad district of West Bengal establishing connective rail link between both sides of the Bhagirathi river fulfilling the long cherished desire of the people of West Bengal. The Railway Minister has flagged off (through video conferencing) Azimganj – Cossimbazar MEMU train and Krishnanagar – Azimganj passenger train to mark the beginning of passenger train services over this newly built Nashipur Railway bridge.
Hon’ble Railway Minister also inaugurated Rail Coach Restaurant at Sealdah, and flagged off (through video conferencing) Radhikapur – Anand Vihar Terminal Express train.
The Rail Coach Restaurant inaugurated at Sealdah station will bring a new experience for the passengers regarding rail themed restaurant with aesthetically pleasing interiors and delicious food. The Radhikapur – Anand Vihar Terminal Express marks a significant milestone as it establishes the first direct connection between Radhikapur in Uttar Dinajpur district and Delhi. This service will provide affordable, faster travel option for residents in the far reaches of West Bengal, benefitting students, patients, traders and common people from surrounding district like Malda in West Bengal and Katihar in Bihar.
Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, Hon’ble Union Minister of Railways also visited the exhibition of old movie posters in display at Sealdah depicting the Indian movies which were filmed over Indian Railways at some portions and also visited the OSOP (One Station One Product) stall at Sealdah station from where the Hon’ble Minister has purchased indigenous products by paying the price through digital payment system.
Speaking on the occasion, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, Hon’ble Union Minister of Railways revealed that how quickly Railways has augmented the capacity at Sealdah to accommodate more 12-coach local trains for the convenience of passengers. This capacity augmentation has facilitated for accommodating three lakh additional passengers on daily basis. He also mentioned that the new services between Azimganj – Cossimbazar, Krishnanagar – Azimganj through newly commissioned Nashipur Railway bridge has facilitated new connectivity fulfilling the long pending requirement which was stalled due to land related bottlenecks and now solved by the initiatives of Railways. He also mentioned that by the initiatives of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi more new services are being introduced in West Bengal and one such is Radhikapur – Anand Vihar Terminal Express train which fulfilled the desire of the inhabitants of West Bengal. He also mentioned that 9 Vande Bharat Express trains are now running in West Bengal embarking a new era of high speed rail connectivity.
Further, the Hon’ble Union Minister of Railways has mentioned that Kolkata Metro Railway track length could be extended only up to 28 km over a span of 40 years from 1972 to 2014. Whereas in the last 10 years from 2014 to 2024 the Government under the leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has made it possible to lay 38 km of Kolkata Metro Railway network which reveals that how fast the present Union Government is developing the Railway infrastructure in West Bengal. He also mentioned that the budgetary allocation for West Bengal has been increased enormously by the present Union Government. These initiatives for development in West Bengal is an example of how the Union Government is materialising the concept ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayaas’ – the visionary goal set by Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji.
The Hon’ble Minister of Railways also urged the State Government to extend cooperation for 61 Railway projects in West Bengal which are pending due to land related bottlenecks. Only with the cooperation of the State Government can solve these problems towards completion of these long pending 61 projects which are required to be completed as soon as possible for the development of West Bengal and for the benefit of the people of West Bengal.
The Minister of Railways also mentioned that the Union Government is ready with the funds for investment in Railway projects. But the State Government should come forward to join hands towards development initiatives in West Bengal. Further, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, Hon’ble Union Minister of Railways mentioned that Union Government is committed to shoulder the responsibility of bringing development in West Bengal and change the Railways scenario of West Bengal.
Shri Sukanta Majumdar, Hon’ble Minister of State for Education & Department of North-East Region, Shri Santanu Thakur, Hon’ble Minister of State for Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Shri Samik Bhattacharya, Hon’ble MP, Shri Jagannath Sarkar, Hon’ble MP also spoke on the occasion. Shri Debashree Chowdhury, Ex. MP, Padmashri Shri Prahalad Rai Agarwala, Shri Milind Deouskar, General Manager, Eastern Railway and other dignitaries were also present on the occasion.
Indian Railways is rapidly advancing towards greater transformation. In this spirit, Hon’ble Minister Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw is spearheading several infrastructure projects aimed at enhancing rail transportation for the people of West Bengal. One such notable project is the extension of platforms 1 to 5 at Sealdah station is to enable the accommodation of twelve coach EMU trains towards enabling all the 21 platforms of Sealdah station to deal with 12-coach EMU locals. After its dedication, more suburban EMU services over the Sealdah division will make transition from 9 to 12-coach services, providing more capacity to the tune of additional accommodation capacity for 3 lakh passengers daily and ensuring comfortable journeys for suburban passengers. Hon’ble Union Minister of Railways flagged off Sealdah – Ranaghat EMU train with 12-coach rake from Sealdah station as a mark of the augmented capacity of Sealdah station for running all 12-coach EMU trains. Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, Hon’ble Union Minister of Railways also flagged off Azimganj – Cossimbazar MEMU train, Krishnanagar city – Azimganj passenger train opening new rail connectivity across the Bhagirathi river and Radhikapur – Anand Vihar Terminal Express fulfilling the desire of the local people. The new services marks the beginning of passenger train movement over Nashipur Railway bridge which also opens up additional route for establishing Railway connectivity between north & south Bengal.
These new train services are set to enhance connectivity in the region. The remarkable advancements in West Bengal’s rail infrastructure reflect a deep commitment to strengthening direct connectivity and fostering regional growth.
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