MALIGAON, Mar 11: For decades, the pace of railway development in West Bengal remained relatively slow. Many projects remained incomplete for years, and modernization of railway infrastructure did not receive the momentum the state required. This situation is now changing rapidly. Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, West Bengal has emerged as an important centre of the large-scale transformation taking place in Indian Railways. This transformation is not limited to new railway lines and stations but also opening new avenues of connectivity, safety, passenger convenience, and economic opportunities.
Accelerating Development with Increased Budget:
The numbers themselves reflect this transformation. The average annual railway budget allocation for West Bengal during 2009-14 was around Rs 4,380 crores. In contrast, the allocation for 2026-27 has increased more than threefold to Rs. 14,205 crores. This unprecedented rise clearly indicates the commitment of the present government to take the state’s railway infrastructure to new heights. This increased investment is driving large-scale infrastructure transformation in the state. Currently, railway projects worth approximately Rs 93,000 crores are under progress in West Bengal. These projects include construction of new tracks, station redevelopment, safety upgrades, and expansion of railway capacity. The aim is to connect every part of the state with faster and better rail connectivity.
Railway Stations Becoming Modern ‘City Centres’:
To make passenger experiences more modern, convenient, and world-class, railway stations in West Bengal are being redeveloped on a large scale under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme. Under this ambitious programme, a total of 101 railway stations in the state have been identified for redevelopment at an estimated cost of around Rs 3,600 crore. These stations are being upgraded with improved passenger facilities, modern infrastructure, and attractive yet functional designs so that they can also evolve into city centres for the surrounding areas.
So far, redevelopment work at nine railway stations in the state has been completed successfully. These include Anara, Barabhum, Haldia, Joychandi Pahar Junction, Kalyani Ghosh Para, Kamakhyaguri, Panagarh, Siuri, and Tamluk. Out of these, the redeveloped stations at Joychandi Pahar Junction, Kalyani Ghosh Para and Panagarh have already been inaugurated. These upgraded stations now provide enhanced waiting areas, improved signage and lighting, digital information systems, large circulating areas, food courts, parking facilities, separate entry and exit points for smoother movement, lifts and escalators for accessibility, clean surroundings, and aesthetically designed station buildings. These facilities are making rail travel more comfortable, safe, and pleasant for passengers.
Expanding Access to Modern Train Services:
To strengthen connectivity in the state and provide passengers with modern rail services, premium train services have also expanded rapidly. Indian Railways is operating several modern and high-tech train services connecting West Bengal with major cities across the country. At present, one pair of Vande Bharat Sleeper Express services operates from West Bengal, making long-distance travel more comfortable and convenient. In addition, 18 Vande Bharat Express services and 22 Amrit Bharat Express services are connecting major cities and key economic centres in the state. These trains provide faster, modern, and affordable travel experiences for passengers. The introduction of these services has reduced travel time and brought world-class railway travel within the reach of citizens. They have also strengthened connectivity between major cities, commercial hubs, and tourist destinations in the state, thereby accelerating regional development and economic activity.
A New Face of Railways in the State:
West Bengal has also witnessed remarkable progress in railway network expansion. Since 2014, approximately 1,400 kilometres of new railway tracks have been constructed in the state, more than the entire rail network of the United Arab Emirates.
Significant achievements have also been made in railway electrification. Since 2014, about 1,712 kilometres of rail routes in West Bengal have been electrified, and the state’s railway network has now become 100% electrified.
To improve safety and smooth movement, more than 500 rail flyovers and underpasses have also been constructed in the state. In addition, expansion of Kavach, the indigenous train protection system of Indian Railways, is progressing rapidly. The Kavach system has already been implemented over 105 route kilometres in West Bengal, while work is underway on 1,041 route kilometres. In total, approval has been granted for implementation across 3,200 RKM.