^^ IMO the so called World Class stations should be handed over to private partners on the same lines as IGI and CSIA. Just a wishfull thought.

we dont even have a private airport in Kolkata. :ohno:

TELEGRAPH (http://www.telegraphindia.com/1101211/jsp/calcutta/story_13286136.jsp#6)
Citu activists blocked railway tracks near Dum Dum Cantonment for 30 minutes from 10am following a clash with Trinamul activists on Friday.

TELEGRAPH (http://www.telegraphindia.com/1101211/jsp/nation/story_13287021.jsp)

Citu turn to torment rail
- Howrah land row offers a ‘what-if’ sneak preview
A STAFF REPORTER

The railway land in Howrah’s Sankrail
Howrah, Dec. 10: Citu workers today stopped work on the Howrah railway land where Trinamul supporters had stalled a levelling job earlier this week demanding higher compensation and employment in return for the plot acquired in 1981.

Citu apparently went back on an “understanding” and cited issues such as Singur while voicing its objections, possibly hinting at the shape of things to come if elections next year lead to a change of guard at Writers’ Buildings.

Local Trinamul leaders, who had prevented railway contractors from working on Tuesday but softened their stance the next day, accused Citu of trying to grab the entire job of unloading fly ash for the levelling of the land at Bhagabatipur in Howrah’s Sankrail. A coach manufacturing unit is to come up at the 630-acre site.

A leader of the Save Farmland Committee — the Trinamul-led forum leading the protests — claimed Citu wanted to supply all labourers for the unloading. This, he said, went against an understanding reached last night with local Citu leaders that two-third of the labourers would be from Citu and the rest from the land-loser families.

Citu denied the charges and instead accused Trinamul and the Congress of attacking the workers owing allegiance to the CPM union.

Local Trinamul MLA Sital Sardar, who had persuaded the land-losers to allow the work at the site to continue and promised them jobs once the unit came up, alleged the CPM was out to scuttle the project.

“We want to sort out the problem with Citu. I have requested the Save Farmland Committee leaders to meet local Citu leaders and find a solution (to the dispute over the labourers),” said Sardar.

A Citu leader, Samir Malik, said around 46 labourers, including 40 affiliated to the Left union, were engaged in the unloading at Bhagabatipur this morning. There were another six labourers from the land-loser families.

“Citu-affiliated workers from Kolaghat, where the fly ash was loaded, had gone to Bhagabatipur to unload it. But Trinamul and Congress supporters beat them up, forcing them to stop work. Those beaten up had come from Kolaghat,” said Malik.

But Trinamul leaders alleged 10 trucks headed to Bhagabatipur were stopped some distance from the plot.

“Seven trucks were unloaded today. Then suddenly, the Citu workers stopped work and announced that they would not work any longer. They went to Dhulagarh and blocked the path of 10 trucks that were coming from Kolaghat and forced them to return,” said Trinamul leader Ashis Malik, who heads the farmland committee. Citu denied the charge.

Ashis Malik claimed some Citu leaders had told him that they would work only if their union was given the entire job of unloading.

“After the Citu workers stopped the unloading, some of them shouted threats and told us that they would not allow work on this project because Trinamul had opposed the Nano project in Singur,” Ashis Malik said.

On Tuesday, when work was stopped for the first time, railway minister Mamata Banerjee had alleged the hand of “outsiders” in the trouble. But she had also expressed a willingness to honour local sentiment and said she was ready to honour any court order for higher compensation.

Train trouble

Five coaches of a Sealdah-bound Canning local got detached from the other seven coaches after couplings broke between Sonarpur and Garia stations around 8.45pm on Monday. The train covered a distance of almost one kilometre before it was noticed that the coaches had got detached

In yet another salvo to railway minister Mamata Banerjee who had been on a moral high for all these days opposing "forcible" land acquisition by the state government from Singur to Rajarhat, state housing minister Gautam Deb pointed to the draconian Railway (Amendment) Act 2008 that is being invoked by the railways to acquire land all over the country. The Act empowers the nominee of the railway board to take possession of the land even before hearing out the affected landowners.

"The process that we have been following under the Land Acquisition Act, 1894, has to pass through several phases from the notification date. The collector has to hear the affected families, take note of their objections, if any, before acquisition. But there is no such provision in the RAA. The railways can take possession within 24 hours of serving the notice even without the knowledge of the landowner. All other will follow. We would request Mamata Banerjee to follow the Rajarhat model and repeal the act," the state housing minister said.

Prior to this, Deb presented his case, highlighting the observations of Trinamool Congress leaders Saugata Roy, Atish Sinha and Sital Sardar, who have been chairpersons of the Assembly Standing Committee on Housing. This was followed by the observations of former bureaucrat-turned-politician Debabrata Bandyopadhyay. A song by rebel Trinamool Congress MP Kabir Suman ran as the background music of the entire audio-visual presentation making it all the more significant. Later, the minister handed over a 67-page status report over Rajarhat land. "I will send a copy to Mamata Banerjee's Kalighat residence, seeking her advice or objection," he said.

The observations of the Trinamool leaders came handy to the minister to demolish the charge of forcible land acquisition by Hidco. He pointed out that the state housing board gave advertisements for direct purchase of land in 1996, to which a total of 2,142 landowners applied for handing over 988 acres.

Accusing Mamata for creating much ado about nothing over land acquisition in Rajarhat, Deb said the state government was always ready to help the railways to acquire land. "Even after the Trinamool did not let Singur happen, the chief minister, though with a broken heart, offered none other than the railway minister to set up railway factories at Singur. We have been continuously insisting on a bilateral discussion that Mamata Banerjee is not paying heed to. Why can't a meeting be held between the CM and the railway minister at Writer's Buildings? There has to be at least some dialogue between the two parties," Deb said.

He also blamed that the Trinamool was creating trouble in implementing many projects in the state. "They won't let the Jessore Road to be widened. They won't let us build a new bypass through Rajarhat. They won't let the Haldia bridge to happen. What kind of politics is this? How will it sound if I say that I won't let any of their projects to happen?" he said.

http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/TOIKM/2010/12/16/7/Img/Ad0070199.png

Where r the numbers of Rajdhani, shatabdi, Janshatabdi and duronto?
AFAIK, they would be prefixed by #1

some pics of Malda Town in West Bengal.

who chose their color?
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5126/5200264469_e493c85307_b.jpg
cc: isaurav

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5009/5229240658_acecff83b9_b.jpg
cc: <~Gouravmoy~>

^^Didn't MB not upgrade Malda into a Adarsh station?? Cannot make that out looking at the condition of the platform.

The Shantipur - Krishnanagar NG line was closed for BG conversion, and is planned to complete before 1st April, and opening before 1st July.

Do any body has any idea about the current progress status of this line?

http://epaper.telegraphindia.com/TT/TT/2010/12/18/Article//007/18_12_2010_007_006.jpg

^^then wats dat band baja barati for?...and that too in the most wierd color i have seen!

I’ve some rare photos, but I can’t insert here. How can I Insert photos in a thread?

From today, the Krishnanagar – Nabadwip Ghat NG DMU line will start converting to BG EMU line, also this line will cross River Bhagirathi and will connect to Bandel – Katwa line at Nabadwip Dham.

An extension of Bankurha – Rainagar line is coming to Masagram on Barddhaman Chord line. I’ve seen on early October near Masagram that laying soil is completed, and some concrete sleeper has dumped. What is the current status? The completion is targeted before 1st April 2011, and train running is planned from 1st July. Will it possible?
After this construction, going to Bankurha town will be cheaper, shorter and easier.

This is how you post them

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=600498

Source (http://www.commodityonline.com/commodity-stocks/Texmaco-rises-on-JV-announcement-with-UGL-2010-12-21-34814-3-1.html)

Texmaco rises on JV announcement with UGL

MUMBAI (Commodity Online) : Texmaco Rail and Engineering Limited(BSE: TEXMACO: 505400, NSE: TEXMACOLTD) has entered into a JV and Shareholders agreement with Australia based UGL Rail Services Limited (ASX: UGL) for setting up of a manufacturing facility in Kolkata.

The facility is intended for manufacturing of Flat Pack Wagons, Locomotive Bogie Frames and Platforms intended for domestic and foreign markets, according to the Corporate Announcement the company filed with BSE.

At the time of filing this report, shares of Texmaco at BSE stood at Rs.49.20, a rise of 3.91%.

The Barddhaman - Katwa NG line was closed for BG conversion, and is planned to complete before 1st April, and opening before 1st July.

Do any body has any idea about the current progress status of this line?

More Trains Send Punctuality For A Toss: Commuters

They comprise nearly 80% of the passenger traffic handled by the Eastern Railway’s Howrah division but contribute little to revenue. No wonder, suburban commuters do not feature on the railways’ list of priorities. So what if commuters — packed like sardines in coaches — have to spend 25-30 minutes on an average, while trains ‘crawl’ the last 4 km between Liluah and Howrah?
Ask any commuter and he would say that Wednesday’s violence at Howrah station was waiting to happen. To the railways and the populist railways ministers over the years, upgrading facilities means introducing additional trains on routes that are already busy. It doesn’t matter if punctuality goes for a toss.
“Suburban commuters don’t seek much comfort or more services. They want trains to run on time. While there has been some improvement, timing of Down trains goes haywire as the day progresses. Instead of addressing this, the railways are keen on more trains, which would lead to more congestion,” an official said.
Interestingly, the Howrah division was awarded Rs 10 lakh recently by railways minister Mamata Banerjee for punctual running of suburban trains. Had Mamata made inquiries of her own, she would have realised that barely a few Down trains actually reach Howrah on time. Some of them are late by over an hour. Eastern Railway runs 310 EMU locals from Howrah daily. Most of these ply during the morning and evening peak hours. Nearly six lakh commuters take the trains every day.
“There are problems with the design of Howrah station that will require a lot of planning to rectify. The movement of Down trains between 8-10 am is not too badly affected. Trouble starts once long-distance trains start arriving at Howrah. Beyond the carshed, the tracks balloon out towards the various platforms. This is where the trouble starts.
“There are no double discharge platforms at Howrah and commuters take much longer than at Sealdah to vacate the rakes. By the time a rake is ready to leave, a number of trains are waiting to enter the platform. Long-distance trains are another problem. After arriving at Howrah, they have to be shunted to the yard. While this process is on, lines get blocked,” the official said.
The permanent solution is to separate the suburban and non-suburban sections but that’s easier said than done. Plans for a separate terminal for suburban trains had to be scuttled. The latest idea is to create a new terminal for long-distance trains.
“The movement of trains depends on the controllers and those operating signals at the Route Relay Interlocking (RRI) cabin. Till some time ago, the controllers and operating staff at Howrah were experts. But over the past few months, the performance has gone down. Nowadays, people are being posted on the basis of their proximity to those in power and not because of their capability. Many of them calling the shots are Howrah have little experience in handling traffic at such a station,” another senior official said. TNN

^^ Separation of Suburban and Non - Suburban terminals are definitely the need of the hour. This can only solve the chaos at Howrah. Upgradation of Howrah station to a world class static will not be fruitful without the planning for separation of suburban and non suburban trains . I guess the problem is that Howrah is a terminal to 2 railway zones Eastern and Non Eastern and itself is a junction and a terminal . It might be hard to plan the separation as they might have to bring suburban trains from both Eastern and South Eastern on one side and long distance trains of both eastern and South eastern on another side.
Another solution can be to divide Howrah station into Howarh- Eastern and Howrah South-Eastern.
The third alternative can be to have multitier platforms at Howrah where the second tier can be occupied by Suburban trains.

Violence trail from road to rail
Driver bashed up for delay
Source : The telegraph.


Passengers took turns in punching a train driver and a guard before ravaging Howrah station to protest a local train’s delayed arrival on Wednesday, prompting the railways to cry political conspiracy over the “organised” manner of the mob attack.

Witnesses said violence erupted the moment the Bandel local pulled into platform number 1 at 10.25am, around 30 minutes behind schedule. Rush-hour passengers bristling at the delay dragged both the driver and the guard out of their cabins and rained blows on them.

“We can’t move without getting the signal. Why blame us?” pleaded the driver, but in vain.

Within minutes, the mob fury spread to the station superintendent’s office, located to the right of the landmark twin-faced clock. Pieces of furniture lay broken and flower pots smashed as the mob, including many armed with sticks and stones, targeted anything that caught their eye.

The glass panes of 10 ticket counters were shattered using office bags and backpacks like boxing gloves. Several computers were overturned.

As the mayhem continued, passengers of local and long-distance trains ran for cover, dragging their luggage. The 20-minute rampage ended only when police baton-charged the mob.

Bally resident Pradip Sengupta stepped out of the subway that leads to the ticket counters looking terrified. “They were very violent. We ran to safety,” said his wife, still shaking from the shock.

Many of those who were waiting for the Bandel local, however, defended the violence. “The train waits for half an hour near the Liluah car shed every day and we get late for work. Nobody cares. They will take note now,” said a man in his thirties.

The train, which had left Bandel at 8.50am, was supposed to reach Howrah at 9.55am.

A railway spokesperson blamed the delay on the late running of fog-hit long-distance trains. “It’s a chain reaction triggered by weather,” said the chief public relations officer of Eastern Railway, Samir Goswami.

The railways called it a pre-planned attack with “sticks and stones”.

Divisional railway manager Parthasarathi Mandal said: “The aim was to scuttle the Railway Board chairman’s visit on Wednesday. We shall identify the attackers.”

Railway police superintendent (Howrah) Rabindranath Mukhopadhyay claimed that CCTV footage had confirmed the presence of people armed with sticks in the mob.

A man who works in one of the damaged PCOs also said he saw some of the attackers wielding sticks.

Railway police have detained nine persons. One of them, Sandip Das, works in a photocopy shop outside Bankshall court and lives in Chinsurah. Sandip told Metro over the phone that the Bandel local would routinely arrive late, delaying him for work.

So did he give vent to his anger on Wednesday? “I was not part of the vandalism,” Sandip insisted. Kushal Mutsuddi, who lives in Ashokenagar, off Tollygunge, said he was picked up while walking towards the new station complex.

Many saw in the Wednesday morning mayhem a trend of violent reprisal reflected in a series of recent incidents from the campus to the platform.

“From blood-soaked college polls and road-hog rallies to incidents like the assault on two brothers who had asked some youths to make way for their car, the absence of strong administrative action is taking its toll,” said a sociologist who did not wish to be named.

“People learn by seeing and if there is no punishment, the wrong becomes the norm,” said psychologist Nilanjana Sanyal.

Like the road-hog rallies at Metro Channel that everyone rails against but can’t prevent.

TELEGRAPH (http://www.telegraphindia.com/1101231/jsp/calcutta/story_13371424.jsp)

Probe into rail arson, cloud over arrests

Mamata Banerjee has set up a five-member committee to probe Wednesday’s mob violence at Howrah station, insisting that armed outsiders rather than angry passengers were responsible for the rampage over a local train’s delayed arrival.

“The (Bandel-Howrah) train was 15 minutes late (30 minutes by the clock). Spontaneous demonstrations can happen. But where did they get sticks and stones from?” demanded the railway minister during a public meeting in Dum Dum on Thursday.

Mamata has asked the committee to submit its report on the incident, which she termed “political sabotage” by the CPM, in three days.

Eastern Railway officials said they were looking into factors other than the train delay to find the trigger for the mob fury.

“Our preliminary investigation suggests that a group of ticket examiners at the exit gates of platforms number 2 and 3 were involved in a spat with some passengers who were already angry over the delayed arrival of the Bandel local,” said a senior official.

As soon as the train pulled into platform number 1, people took turns in punching the train driver and the guard before targeting railway property.

Divisional railway manager Parthasarathi Mandal called it a “pre-planned attack by outsiders”. He said three other trains — all from Katwa — had arrived at Howrah 35 to 65 minutes behind schedule on Wednesday morning but there was no such reaction from passengers.

The nine people arrested for vandalism have been remanded in judicial custody for 14 days. The charges against them are of rioting, causing grievous injury, damage to property, preventing government officials from discharging their duty and theft.

If found guilty, they could be jailed for up to 10 years.

Most of those arrested said they had nothing to do with the arson as they were neither travelling by the Bandel local nor waiting to board it. Kausik Pal, 28, a resident of Hind Motors in Hooghly, was allegedly arrested when he was walking out of the station.

“We were headed for the exit together when trouble started. We were separated in the melee. I later heard that Kausik had been arrested,” said elder brother Dipankar.

Souvik Roy, of Rampurhaat in Birbhum, had arrived by the Visvabharati Passenger and was to take a bus to Shibpur to sit for an exam when the cops picked him up.

I think Pf. 1 to 12 & Pf. 13 to 23 should be reserved exclusively for ER & SER respectively.

^^ . This makes sense under the present setup. But in doing this you are separating out the the 2 Suburban lines , So if a person travels daily up and down between Sreerampore and santragachi , He will have to cross a see of humanity and get over to the other suburban section . Somehow they should separate the suburban section from the long distance section. Are the suburban trains on ER and SER running on dedicated tracks or share with them with long distance trains ?

http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/TOIKM/2011/01/03/5/Img/Ad0050612.png

^^ . This makes sense under the present setup. But in doing this you are separating out the the 2 Suburban lines , So if a person travels daily up and down between Sreerampore and santragachi , He will have to cross a see of humanity and get over to the other suburban section . Somehow they should separate the suburban section from the long distance section. Are the suburban trains on ER and SER running on dedicated tracks or share with them with long distance trains ?

Not a bad idea though, however to make this possible they should make few more underpasses connecting straight to the bus terminus and a FOB which would be having exit at ferry ghat, as a majority of daily passengers uses either bus or ferry as their mode of transport to go the city!

Photo cc Andy Roy

New "world class" train at Burdwan station..

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5129/5308483565_ff8235246b_b.jpg

It seems that they have just repainted one of the old trains. It is not one of the new EMUs from Mumbai , they do not have a flat face as this one . But wonder will this color combination be used in Kolkata too ?

lipstick on a pig? :lol:

It seems that they have just repainted one of the old trains.

^^ :lol:

It seems that they have just repainted one of the old trains. It is not one of the new EMUs from Mumbai , they do not have a flat face as this one . But wonder will this color combination be used in Kolkata too ?

For a moment I assumed it was the "new world class" emus from Mumbai. But looks like you are right. But why did they repaint them in Mumbai colours? Even the band party is in same colours.

^^ :laugh:

I mean who got this idea? Is it that "Dariwala" artist Subhaprasanna or whatever his name?

^^ :laugh:

I mean who got this idea? Is it that "Dariwala" artist Subhaprasanna or whatever his name?

^^ This colour combination is used by Western Railways for Mumbai suburbs during the time of Lalu and Subhaprasanna does not seem to have anything with it!

lipstick on a pig? :lol:

:lol:

Mamata Banerjee meets Manmohan Singh over rail budget

Source : http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_mamata-banerjee-meets-manmohan-singh-over-rail-budget_1490362

Railway minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and is understood to have discussed issues related to the rail budget for which she wants adequate support from the finance ministry.

Finance minister Pranab Mukherjee, who was present at the meeting, said it was a pre-budget interaction with the prime minister and nothing more should be seen beyond it.

Railways is facing financial crunch to fund several key projects and meet its targets.

The Sixth Pay Commission has considerably depleted its resources as railways had to fund Rs55,000 crores arising out of its internal resources.

The much delayed dedicated freight corridor project is also facing a problem of finance.

With the assembly elections in her home state round the corner, Mamata is likely to come out with a budget which would be friendly to common man.

Trinamool MPs had met Singh last month drawing his attention to the deteriorating law and order situation in the West Bengal.

TELEGRAPH (http://www.telegraphindia.com/1110107/jsp/calcutta/story_13400136.jsp)

A STAFF REPORTER

Several passenger amenities have been planned for Howrah station with an April deadline.

The authorities have planned to set up capsule lifts for the “upper class” and “sleeper class” waiting rooms in the old complex and escalators for the footbridge connecting the old and new complexes.

Also on the anvil are battery-operated carts for the physically challenged and senior citizens and giant LCD screens displaying train information.

Construction of the capsule lift from the ground floor to the second-class waiting room has started. Work on the other lift will start once the BSNL sales counter is shifted.

“One of the lifts is scheduled to be operational by January while the other lift, escalators and battery-operated carts should be ready by April. The railway minister had taken a personal initiative in implementing the facilities at the earliest,” said Parthasarathi Mandal, divisional railway manager, Howrah.

Work on the pair of escalators, which will help commuters reach the footbridge joining the old and the new complexes, is in full swing.

The escalators will cost around Rs 70 lakh and the lifts around Rs 80 lakh.

“Six short-range battery operated carts are expected to arrive by March. These will be funded by an NGO and maintained by a nationalised bank,” said an official.

The elderly and the physically handicapped can avail themselves of the carts by placing a request at the information desk.

The authorities have also procured three electrical ride-on scrubbers and moppers, 24 LCD screens that will display train-related information and air-conditioners for the upper-class waiting room.

“Post-April, we have plans to upgrade the footbridge connecting the two complexes with a walkalator,” said a senior railway official.

There are “long-term plans” to build a wider footbridge linking the old and new complexes. “Escalators will be installed on each platform for passengers to access the footbridge,” the official added.

Passengers — the average daily footfall has been estimated at 10 lakh — are happy but have a sneaking suspicion that at least some of the announcements are just a pre-poll gimmick.

“We have been hearing about plans to upgrade the station to international standards for years. The railway minister has ordered the revamp just before the Assembly polls. The move can be helpful only if maintenance is assured,” said Amalendu Chakraborty, a trader who often travels between Calcutta and Hyderabad.

^^ all good ideas. hope to see these developments soon! there shouldn't be a huge difference betwen the amenities available at railway stations and amenities available at airports.

^^ :laugh:

I mean who got this idea? Is it that "Dariwala" artist Subhaprasanna or whatever his name?

it could be dariwala or the quiz master!!!...but y WR's color??....can smell plagarism!!!

PLAYING TO THE GALLERY

Mamata seeks people’s view on rail factory

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Howrah: The rail factory at Sankrail will be set up only if the common people want it. That was the message from Union rail minister at a rally in Dhulagarh. She was alluding to problems encountered in using up land that had been lying vacant for the last 29 years.
“The CPM did not do anything for all these years. When the land was acquired, I was not even an MP. Madhab Rao Scindia was at the helm and the state government help the railways under him get the plot. When I noticed that the land had been lying idle for 29 years, I felt something good should be done with it so that people, too, could get employment opportunities. I want to set up a DMU coach factory here. This is a very important project and will be the state’s biggest rail project,” said Mamata.
However, Mamata said that the factory would happen only if the people wanted it. “The CPM is creating obstacles here. Some CPM-backed contractors, who do not have land here, are creating problems and trying to hinder the project. Nothing will be done by force. This is not my principle. The rail factory here will only happen if the common people want or else it will happen elsewhere,” Mamata added.
The Trinamool chief gave time to the locals to decide on the issue. “Take three days — January 9,10, and 11 — to decide on this and then inform Sankrail’s local MLA Sital Sardar and INTTUC leader Arupesh Bhattacharya about your decision. If the common people give a positive signal, then on January 13, I will come here and kick off the work. I will not listen even if the CPM tries to create any problem. Steps will be taken to see that the locals are benefited from the project,” Mamata said.
Speaking of work on the rail factory at Budge Budge beginning on January 11, the minister. “The CPM wants to destroy agriculture and industry. I will not let that happen,” she said. Throwing up a challenge, she added, “I could have called a Bangla bandh after the gruesome Lalgarh killing, but I do not want any more bandhs.”

From today, The new line to Furfura Sharif will start construction.

Line from Masagram to Rainagar is also going fast.

What is the current status of guage conversion of Shantipur - Krishnanagar line?

^^ No updates on the status boss . if some body has an update they will definitely post .

A glimpse of Sealdah

video by artibacsi

XgHdD1ZL5lE

Wow
looking spanking clean
and anyone who's been there
whats that golf cart doing there?

Wow
looking spanking clean
and anyone who's been there
whats that golf cart doing there?

Ya, even am a bit curious abt the golf cart!

And the station looks very clean.. good job IR :cheers:

@ sid: its been kept for physically handicapped and senior citizens. Shealdah moving a step ahead to get its "world class" status!!...

A glimpse of Sealdah

video by artibacsi

XgHdD1ZL5lE

:okay::cheers1:

The station looks mighty clean. Hope it is maintained that way :cheers:

@ sid: its been kept for physically handicapped and senior citizens. Shealdah moving a step ahead to get its "world class" status!!...

yes I too thought so but must be used to transport some fatso (read Bengali intellectuals and CPI cadres :lol:) to their respective 1st AC coaches

@ sid: vdo me white shirt wala banda near the golf cart is most probably the driver!!!...bhai, which minister travels on train for a long journey?

those who are currently not MP or MLA :lol:

Lift to encourage use of 1st floor waiting room at Howrah station
Jayanta Gupta | TNN

Kolkata: The aged, ill and differently-abled passengers need not fret any longer. Very soon, they would be able to access the second-class waiting room on the first floor of the Howrah station in an elevator.
Work is on in full swing to construct this elevator close to the big clock or boro ghori. Those with upper-class tickets would have to take the stairs for some more time though. The elevator to the upper-class waiting room can only be constructed once the BSNL shifts its kiosk from the passenger concourse area.
“We have taken steps to upgrade the waiting rooms. Yet, many passengers spend time in the passenger concourse area. Not all of them are to blame. Many of them are aged, ill or differently-abled. Some have a lot of luggage. It is difficult for them to climb the stairs to the waiting rooms. Before long, the elevator to the second-class waiting room will become operational. This will be of great help to passengers,” said Partha Sarathi Mondal, divisional railway manager, Howrah.
Howrah station handles over a million passengers every day. Nearly 30% of them are long-distance passengers. As Howrah connects several northeastern states to destinations in the northern and western parts of the country, a large number of passengers need to spend time at the station.
“At certain times of the year, train schedules get disrupted. During the winter months, fog in the northern parts of the country throws train schedules haywire. During such times, a large number of passengers have to spend time at the station, waiting for their trains. As there is no elevator, many of them spend time on the ground floor. This place is congested throughout the day due to daily commuters. We would like to encourage the long-distance passengers to occupy the waiting rooms,” a senior Eastern Railway official said.
According to him, once passengers start patronising the second-class waiting room, the railways would get a feedback on what else needs to be done to upgrade facilities there. Safety at the waiting room is no longer a problem as the security control room is situated next to it, the official pointed out.
“We have also upgraded the upper-class waiting room, but can’t get passengers to occupy it. The reason is that we are unable to construct the second elevator. For this, the BSNL kiosk would have to be shifted. We have written to BSNL officials three months ago and are awaiting a response,” Mondal said.
The TOI tried to get in touch with BSNL officials, but none of them seemed to be aware of any such communication from the railways.


http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/TOIKM/2011/01/11/2/Img/Pc0020700.jpg

Work is on for the new elevator at Howrah station

TELEGRAPH (http://www.telegraphindia.com/1110112/jsp/calcutta/story_13425837.jsp#4)
Special trains

Eastern Railway will run three pairs of special trains between January 13 and 17 for Gangasagar mela. The trains will run between Sealdah and Namkhana, and Lakshmikantapur and Namkhana.

Source (http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=69015)


Modern Luggage Trolley Service Inaugurated by Mamata Banerjee at Howrah Station

Exhibition Train “Vivekananda Express” Flagged off

Foundation Stone for Archery & Table Tennis Academy Laid

Three New Express Trains Flagged off

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19:03 IST
The Minister of Railways, Mamata Banerjee inaugurated the modern luggage trolley service at Howrah station to assist senior citizens and women passengers in boarding and alighting from coaches along with their luggage comfortably, today i.e. 12th January 2011. The service has been launched as a pilot project for a period of one year and will be handled by uniformed attendants called ‘Rail Yatri Sevaks’. The service will be run in collaboration with State Bank of India and passengers will be charged only Rs 35/- for this unique passenger friendly facility. The trolley can be booked in advance over a telephone number to be specified by the Railways. This service marks the fulfillment of the one of the Budget announcements made by the Railway Minister in her Railway Budget 2010-11.

The Minister of Railways, Mamata Banerjee also flagged off a special exhibition train “Vivekananda Express” showcasing the life and philosophy of the great spiritual leader Swami Vivekananda from Howrah station today. This train is a tribute from Railways on the occasion of 150th Birth Anniversary of Swami Vivekanand. This exhibition train will cover important stations of the country, taking the message of religious harmony and unity to the masses.

The train “Vivekananda Express” consists of two Air-Conditioned coaches in which photographs, write-ups etc. are exhibited to project the life, work and message of Swamiji. The train will also include one Air-Conditioned 3-tier coach, one power car and one second class-cum- luggage van. The coaches have been refurbished at Liluah Workshop of Eastern Railway.

Swami Vivekananda (January 12, 1863 – July 4, 1902), was the chief disciple of 19th century mystic Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa and the founder of Ramakrishna Mission. He is considered a key figure in the introduction of Vedanta philosophy and Yoga in Europe and America and is also credited with raising interfaith awareness. He is known for his inspiring speech beginning with "Sisters and Brothers of America", through which he introduced Indian philosophy in the Parliament of the World's Religions at Chicago in 1893.

Also on the occasion, the Minister of Railways laid the foundation stone for Archery & Table Tennis Academy. This comes as a sequel to her earlier announcement for setting up of such academy with a view to provide appropriate facilities for the sportspersons of different disciplines. By establishing an Archery academy in Kolkata, Indian Railways will achieve the twin objectives of providing world class training facilities to our existing sportspersons as well as tapping into the vast talent resources available in the eastern region of India

In addition, Mamata Banerjee, also flagged off three new express trains, namely Sealdah - Rampurhat Intercity Express, Howrah – Suri Express and Shalimar – Baripada Intercity Express, on the occasion.

AKS/HK/LK/TR

TELEGRAPH (http://www.telegraphindia.com/1110112/jsp/calcutta/story_13425837.jsp#4)
Special trains

Eastern Railway will run three pairs of special trains between January 13 and 17 for Gangasagar mela. The trains will run between Sealdah and Namkhana, and Lakshmikantapur and Namkhana.

गंगासागर के लिए तीन जोड़ी स्पेशल ट्रेनें

कोलकाता, जागरण संवाद (http://in.jagran.yahoo.com/news/local/westbengal/4_13_7166518.html) : गंगासागर मेले को लेकर जहां सागर सज-संवर कर तैयार हो रहा है, वहीं रेलवे ने भी मेला के दौरान तीर्थयात्रियों को बेहतर सुविधा देने के लिए कमर कस ली है। इसके लिए तीन जोड़ी स्पेशल ट्रेनें चलाने के साथ स्टेशनों पर साफ सफाई व यात्रियों की सुरक्षा के लिए अतिरिक्त आरपीएफ जवान तैनात किये गये हैं। ये गाड़िया सियालदह से खुलकर नामखाना तक जायेगी। 13 जनवरी से 17 जनवरी तक इन ट्रेनों का संचालन होगा। पहली ट्रेन 13 जनवरी को सुबह 6.15 पर सियालदह से खुलेगी जो दोपहर 8.50 पर नामखाना पहुंचेगी। दूसरी ट्रेन उसी दिन शाम को 8.50 बजे सियालदह से खुलेगी, जो रात 10.50 पर नामखाना पहुंचेगी, जबकि तीसरी ट्रेन रात 11.30 बजे सियालदह से खुलकर मध्यरात्री 12.10 बजे नामखाना पहुंचेगी। गंगासागर के पास स्थित स्टेशनों डायमंड हार्बर, नामखाना और काकद्विप में अतिरिक्त टिकट काउंटर के साथ अतिरिक्त पूछताछ काउंटर भी खोले जायेंगे। वहीं निगरानी के लिए इन स्टेशनों पर अतिरिक्त टिकट कलक्टरों को भी तैनात किये जायेंगे, जबकि सुरक्षा को ध्यान में रखते हुए आरपीएफ के जवानों की संख्या बढ़ायी जायेगी। मेला के दौरान स्टेशनों पर सफाई की भी विशेष व्यवस्था की जा रही है।

^^hmm, can feel the rush of gangasagar!!!..at least on roads!!!

Source (http://www.telegraphindia.com/1110114/jsp/bengal/story_13438152.jsp)
Didi shifts rail project as CPM pulls a Nano

Singur, Dec. 13: Mamata Banerjee, whose sustained protests had driven the Nano project out of Bengal, today said she had decided to shift a proposed rail coach factory from Howrah’s Sankrail because of the CPM’s opposition.

The announcement came on the day she was to lay the foundation stone for the project. The Trinamul chief, however, said she was determined to go ahead with the project and appeared to throw the ball in the state government’s court.

At a rally in Singur today, Mamata said: “Give me Singur instead of Sankrail. I will set up a coach factory here... an even bigger one.” The announcement drew loud applause from the crowd. “The coach unit will happen in Bengal,” she said.

At a railway programme in Bara, near Singur, later, she said she did “not want to force the factory”. “The new site for the project will be announced in a day or two,” Mamata said.

South Eastern Railway officials, however, said they had no knowledge of a shift. “There have been no instructions in this regard. The Sankrail project is still on. Work couldn’t be started because of protests,” a railway official said.

Before the Singur rally in the afternoon, Mamata walked in a procession from Khaserbheri to Khaserchak, 1km away, and repeated her demand that the state government return 400 of the 1,000 acres acquired for the Tata Nano project to the “unwilling” land losers.

At the rally in Singur’s Khaserchak, Mamata accused the CPM of queering the pitch for the railway project. She said the CPM had “deliberately created trouble” to harm the project. “The land on which the coach factory was to come up had been lying with the railways for 30 years. There was no movement in Sankrail in all these years. Now all of a sudden, they (CPM) have woken up,” the railway minister said.

Mamata had selected 30 acres of the 630-acre plot for the proposed factory. But the project ran into rough weather after the CPM started holding rallies and demonstrations at the site. Railway officials came under attack when they went there for an inspection in the first week of December 2010.

On Wednesday, around 200 supporters of a newly floated CPM-backed organisation of land losers brought out a procession against the project. Preparations for the foundation-laying ceremony had to be stalled because of the protest.

Mamata today promised the 1 lakh-strong crowd at the Singur rally that the “disputed 400 acres will be returned to the farmers”. The Assembly elections probably playing on her mind, she told the rally “industry will happen in Singur”.

Mamata said she had written to the state government requesting it to return the 400 acres and hand over the rest of the land to the railways. “After a couple of letters, the state government did not say a word on my proposal,” she claimed.

Trinamul’s Sankrail MLA Sital Sardar also blamed the CPM for driving out the project from the area. “Mamatadi had promised a job to one member of each of the 91 families that had lost land for the project. Most of them agreed but some families owing allegiance to the CPM started creating trouble,” Sardar said.

CPM’s Howrah district secretary Biplab Majumdar, however, said “local people, not our party” were opposing the project. “We have nothing to do with the agitation,” he added.

CPM state secretariat member Mohammad Salim said his party was not opposed to the project. “As railway minister, she (Mamata) had promised adequate compensation and jobs to the land losers. The promises will have to be kept,” Salim said.

Sankrail plot for Burn Standard?

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Singur: Instead of setting up a loco factory at Sankrail in Howrah, the railways may hand over the plot to Burn Standard Co Ltd. The railways took over the wagon manufacturing units of Burn Standard and Braithewaite in 2010 and placed orders. The railways had planned a factory at Sankrail where land was acquired in 1982. When railways minister Mamata Banerjee prepared to start work on the 630-acre plot in 2010, landlosers demanded compensation at the latest rate and jobs.
“I know that there are a handful of people creating trouble at Sankrail. But I shall not forcibly take control of the land. This land was not acquired by me. It was acquired by the late Madhavrao Scindia when he was railways minister. Let the plot remain with the railways. I shall set up the DEMU unit elsewhere in the state. I shall announce the location in the next few days. The ways of the CPM are strange. Till three months ago, its leaders were accusing the railways of not doing anything with the plot at Sankrail. Once I decided to set the factory there, the same CPM leaders are creating a ruckus. If people want, there will be a factory there,” Mamata said at Singur on Thursday.
Though Mamata didn’t reveal her intentions to hand over the plot to the railways PSU, senior officers discussed the modalities involved in such a transfer. According to her, the CPM had never wanted any development for West Bengal. She claimed that when the Digha-Tamluk line was being built, the CPM did its best to disrupt the project. She criticized the state government for lodging an FIR against the Howrah divisional railway manager for alleged filling up of waterbodies near Dankuni.
“Very soon, when the CPM is removed from power, they will plead to withdraw this false FIR. The plot in question was with the railways from much before my birth. Today, some people have cropped up and claimed that waterbodies exist there. I have never seen a government file an FIR against another government organization. The CPM government here doesn’t want to work and won’t let others work. If someone plans development, they lodge an FIR. If the Railway Protection Force (RPF) raids a godown full of stolen goods, they lodge an FIR against the inspector general. We won’t do the same. We know that the administration belongs to nobody. It is loyal to whoever is in charge,” the railways minister said before laying the foundation stone for a third line between Liluah and Dankuni.
During the day, Mamata participated in a padayatra in Singur accompanied by local party leaders including Becharam Manna. The Trinamool Congress chief was clearly making another attempt to remove the anti-industry tag that CPM leaders including chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee attached to her during their January 9 rally in Singur.
“I didn’t want industry to go from Singur. I simply asked the government to return the 400 acres acquired from unwilling farmers. I have shown that a factory can come up on a much smaller plot. Even the railways had asked for the plot in Singur to set up industry. The state government did not reply to our letters. But wait for some time. Elections in the state will be held between February and March. After that a factory will come up in Singur. The CPM leaders are lying. Nobody has come forward to take over the land and build a factory there,” she said while addressing a party programme.
Announcing that the storage hub in Singur under her Kisan Vision project would be completed in the next two months, Mamata urged the railways to look for land for extension of platforms at Kamarkundu. Stall-owners would be relocated and the railways would set up new stalls for them, should they agree to move, she said.

GREAT EXTENSIONS OF THE KOLKATA SUBURBAN RAILWAY

A very good development of the suburban railway is currently going. Here is a detail –

Doubling/ Tripling / Quadrupling – (under construction)
• Sondalia-Champapukur of HASNABAD LINE.
• Tollyganj-New Alipur. OF BAJBAJ LINE.
• Gokulpur-Medinipur OF MEDINIPUR LINE.
• Tikiaparha-Santragachhi fourth line
• Damdam-Baranagar third line
• Damdam-Princepghat-Majherhat.
• Bali-Dankuni third line
• Bandel-Shaktigarh third line
• Krishnanagar-Bethuadahari-Palashi OF PALASHI LINE.
• Ambikakalna-Nabadwip Dham OF KATWA LINE.
• Patuli-Katwa OF KATWA LINE.
• Kalinarayanpur-Shantipur OF SHANTIPUR LINE.
• Basuliya-Tamluk OF HALDIA LINE.

Guage Conversion - (under construction)
• Shantipur-Krishnanagar City. PLANNED TO OPEN BEFORE JULY 2011.
• Barddhaman-Katwa. PLANNED TO OPEN BEFORE JULY 2011 up to Balgona.
• Krishnanagar – Nabadwip Ghat. (with extension upto Nabadwip Dham)

Note:- Kolkata has the only NG suburban service of India.

New Rail Lines – (under construction)
 Shialdaha-Haorha. (surveying)
 Bajbaj-Pujali.(in fast pace)
 Diamond Harbour-Akrha.
 Barhgachhia-Tarakeshwar. (in fast pace)
 Amta-Bagnan .(in fast pace)
 Dankuni-Furfura Sharif .(in very fast pace)
 Kharhgapur-Dankuni. (surveying)
 Tarakeshwar-Dhanekhali-Magra .(in very fast pace)
 Tarakeshwar-Bishnupur .(in very very very fast pace)
 Masagram-Roynagar. PLANNED TO OPEN BEFORE JULY 2011
 Deshapran-Nandigram . (in very fast pace)
 Namkhana-Bakkhali. (in very fast pace)
 Dhubulia-Chartala. (surveying)
 Canning-Gosaba. (in very fast pace)
 Jaynagar-Raydighi. (in very fast pace)
 Bangaon-Kalyani. (surveying)
 Ranaghat-Dattaphuliya. (surveying)
 Hasnabad-Hingalganj. (in fast pace)
 Hasnabad-Pratapadityanagar. (surveying)
 Nabadwipdham-Nabadwipghat. (in fast pace)
 Bangaon-Bagda. (in very fast pace)
 Machhalandapur-Swarupnagar. (in very fast pace)
 Khana-Bowaichandi-Arambag-Ghatal (in fast pace)
 Kanthi-Belda. (surveying)

After completing all lines – Kolkata will be the largest expanded suburban railway system of India.

GREAT EXTENSIONS OF THE KOLKATA SUBURBAN RAILWAY

gr8 updates this one.....btw is there any site to keep a track on these progresses ???

1 more thing...this thread is lacking pics.Please post some of kolkata local trains if possible............

Didi seeks help of Pirzada of Furfura Sharief for rly line
TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Kolkata: Railway minister Mamata Banerjee has sought the help of Pirzada of Furfura Sharief Toha Siddique for the construction of a new railway line from Dankuni to Furfura Sharief, which is an important pilgrimage centre.
Siddique met Mamata at her Kalighat residence in Kolkata on Monday. They held a meeting for about an hour. Later Siddique said the railway line was needed in the interest of the people. “Some objections have been raised, but the railway line will be laid,” he said.
Siddique added that the minority communities now regard Mamata as their friend. “In the past 34 years, we have been left further and further behind. If this continues for another five years, we will be in further trouble,” he said.
According to him, not only the minority community but the people of the state now want a change. “I am not a member of any political party. But that does not mean that I shall not stand up against oppression,” he said.

Any link for the updated map of Kolkata Suburban system along with the existing,u/c,proposed,surveying------a total one ?????

gr8 updates this one.....btw is there any site to keep a track on these progresses ???

1 more thing...this thread is lacking pics.Please post some of kolkata local trains if possible............

I han't found such site. Keep close look on newspapers.

In 2000 rail budget, there was a plan to make a new rail line from (now closed) Ultadingi Road to Jyotinagar (formerly Newtown) and from Titagarh to Sonarpur via Jyotinagar, and in 2009 rail budget, there was a plan to make a new rail line from Park circus to Bantala. After surveying, all these projects have cancelled due to loss making possibilities.

Ultadingi Road .

Any particular reason why you refer to Ultadanga Road as Ultadingi Road?

Howrah Station. Video gets interrupted as some official comes by probably objecting to the filming

_loRcITua-A

Kolkata Circular Rail

Is the Kolkata Circular rail dedicated only for the circular local trains or is it also used by other goods or long distance trains also ?

Sealdah station entry choked
Suman Chakraborti | TNN (http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=TOINEW&BaseHref=TOIKM/2011/01/21&PageLabel=4&EntityId=Ar00405&ViewMode=HTML&GZ=T)

Kolkata: A shopping mall, the BR Singh and NRS hospitals, the auto stand and the wayside nurseries moving towards Beliaghata Road surrounding the Sealdah station, have all choked the entry to the busy railway station. Some years ago, the Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority (KMDA) had planned a ramp from the Sealdah flyover to Sealdah station from the Rajabazar end to ease north-to-south traffic. But the plan is still just on paper as daily commuters face massive traffic snarls regularly on the Sealdah flyover.
Thousands of commuters who have to cross the flyover every day face tremendous inconvenience. Things have turned worse since the Big Bazar mall has come up just on the three-point junction in front of Sealdah station. With not more than a hundred car parking space in front of the mall, huge traffic congestion occurs at the three-point junction, particularly during rush office hours. The auto stand on the junction that moves towards Beliaghata and the queue of taxis just behind the auto stand, and the two hospitals adjacent the crossing only add to the already messed up traffic system.
“At times during rush office hours, it takes more than 20 minutes to reach Moulali from Sealdah as heavy traffic snarls occur on the three-point junction on the flyover,” said a daily commuter. The junction at the centre of the flyover is the most congested area. If repairs are held at any part of Beliaghata Road, massive traffic congestion occurs at this place.
The increase in traffic snarls apart, Sealdah flyover or Vidyapati Setu has witnessed a rapid increase in car count in recent years. This is not surprising as it connects APC
Road at one end to Moulali at the other and also links Sealdah station to Mahatma Gandhi Road.
With traffic on the flyover crisscrossing from three opposite directions, KMDA and the railways had earlier discussed what could be done to ease traffic chaos on it. A plan was prepared in 2004 to construct a ramp from the Moulalibound flank from the Rajabazar end that would come down just in front of Sealdah station. The idea was to divert all Sealdah station-bound vehicle from the three-way point of the flyover that was coming from Rajabazar end, to avoid traffic chaos. As of now, all vehicles coming from Rajabazar-end that have to reach the station have to enter into the three-point crossing to take a left-turn and reach the station.
However, no initiative to finalise
and implement the plan has been taken either by KMDA or the railways. “The plan was conceptualised some years back, but at present there is no immediate plan to execute it. The railway authorities will also have to chip in to work out on the plan,” a KMDA official said.
Also, there is a plan to disperse traffic surrounding the Sealdah station, but nothing yet has been done to work on the plan.

http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/TOIKM/2011/01/22/15/Img/Ad0150510.png

Any particular reason why you refer to Ultadanga Road as Ultadingi Road?

Actual name is Ultadingi, means reversed boat, Ultadanga is wrong.

Circular Railway (Damdam to Majherhat) is now using only EMU trains, no goods. This line was made using an old goods rail line. From Kolkata to Damdam, there is parallel Long Distance train track & goods train track.

According to Indian Railways rule, EMU suburban service could expand up to 150 Km. from the main city. So I suggest Krishnanagar – Palashi section should be included on suburban service. This portion is already electrified, and doubling upto Bethuadahari is going on. The only work to be done is raising platform levels.

Palashi is an important historical & economical place. I suggest including this section on Kolkata suburban network. Then some new EMU service & extending some Krishnanagar local to Palashi should be done by ER.

Map of the CC Link (Calcutta Chord Link) sections, which connect the Sealdah section tracks to Howrah

CC Samit RoyChoudhary

http://img197.imageshack.us/img197/3038/mainphpg2viewcore.gif

Nice map :cheers:

http://epaper.hindustantimes.com/PUBLICATIONS/HT/HD/2011/01/25/Article//015/25_01_2011_015_007.jpg

Andal is a very big rail junction, and has a spacious place of goods yard & diesel loco shed.

So Andal is a good choice for RM.

INFORMATION MEMORANDUM

Rail Coach Factory, Kanchrapara – Project (http://www.indianrailways.gov.in/indianrailways/tenders/pdf/Elec_engg/INFORMATION_MEMORANDUM.pdf)

Provides a good insight on what kind of EMUs will be coming out of the Kanchrapara


Request for Qualification (http://infrastructure.gov.in/pdf/4-Pre-qualification-of-Bidders/Kancharapara%20RFQ.pdf)

INFORMATION MEMORANDUM

Rail Coach Factory, Kanchrapara – Project (http://www.indianrailways.gov.in/indianrailways/tenders/pdf/Elec_engg/INFORMATION_MEMORANDUM.pdf)

Provides a good insight on what kind of EMUs will be coming out of the Kanchrapara


Request for Qualification (http://infrastructure.gov.in/pdf/4-Pre-qualification-of-Bidders/Kancharapara%20RFQ.pdf)

Acording to today's business standard the kanchrapara project has been put on hold till further notice because of lack of funds in Railways

^^ Here is the story


BS (http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/rly-financial-position-worsens-all-ppp-projects-puthold/123562/on)

Rly financial position worsens: All PPP projects put on hold

Press Trust of India / New Delhi January 27, 2011, 9:42 IST



Faced with a financial crisis, Railways have put on hold all PPP projects including proposed plants at Kanchrapara in West Bengal and Madhepura and Marhora in Bihar.

Railways have to commit approximately Rs 8,000 crore per annum for these three projects - an EMU/coach factory at Kanchrapara, diesel locomotive factory at Marhora and electric locomotive plant at Madhepura - for assured purchase orders.

"In the current situation, the railways is finding it difficult to commit for the assured offtakes," sources in the Railway Ministry said and added that "due to the fund crunch, railways have put a temporary hold on these PPP projects and have set up a committee to examine how funds can be provided to PPP projects and also to its own production units."

Multinational companies mainly from the USA and Europe are involved in the bidding of these three PPP projects in Kanchrapara, Marhora and Madhepura.

"The committee comprising six senior railway officials is to examine how assured purchase contracts can be provided because railways also have their own production units. If assured offtakes are entertained then there will be very little funds left for its own units," they said.

Railways' annual purchase is estimated at Rs 15,000 cr to Rs 18,000 crore for wagons, coaches and locos.

"If Rs 8000 crore is being kept for the three PPP projects then limited funds will be left for its own production units as well as for purchase of wagons," they said.

The committee has to examine the contradictory demands on railway funds. The committee has been given 15 days time to suggest ways and means to fund PPP projects as well as its own production units.

"So till the committee's report, there is a temporary hold on all these three projects," the sources said.

The abandoned DMU project of Sankrail is now shifting to haldia, where it will start construction very soon.

Haldia line should get more 5 pairs of EMU trains from Haorha.

The circular rail way will get a branch from Remount Road to Santoshpur, for direct running Bajbaj -BBD Bag- Tala-Damdam- Bangaon train service

^^ Please also post the source of this information

Haldia all set to get coach factory

TIMES NEWS NETWORK (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata-/Haldia-all-set-to-get-coach-factory-/articleshow/7393745.cms)


Kolkata: Howrah’s loss will be East Midnapore’s gain. Railways minister Mamata Banerjee has decided to shift the proposed DEMU coach manufacturing unit planned for Howrah’s Sankrail to Haldia. She will lay the foundation stone for this factory in Haldia on February 5, the minister announced during a programme at Metiabruz on Sunday.
“The land at Sankrail was acquired for a railway project when Madhavrao Scindia was the railways minister. Ever since I took over in 2009, the CPM made a hue and cry on why this land had not been utilized as yet. Finally, I decided to set up a factory there. The moment I made that announcement, the CPM sent some people to start an agitation at Sankrail. We shall not use force to start work. We will shift the factory to Haldia. If the people of Sankrail relent, another unit will be set up there,” Mamata said.
The Trinamool Congress chief seems to be growing in confidence every day. A day after she tried to woo voters in north Bengal, Mamata promised several projects to the people of Metiabruz and Garden Reach.
“The people of Metiabruz have been asking for a flyover and a hospital for quite some time now. It is the responsibility of the state government to build these. The railways would have helped had the state come forward with the projects. Instead of doing so, the state is creating impediments. First they promised to hand over the tram tracks between Joka and Behala to us for construction of the Joka-BBD Metro. Now, they have gone back on their word. Don’t worry. As soon as this government moves out, we will build a hospital and flyover at Metiabruz,” she said.
During the day, Mamata laid the foundation stone for extension of the Circular Railway network to Santoshpur (Akra) via Metiabruz and Garden Reach. There are two unused lines at Remount Road and Garden Reach that Eastern Railway engineers will use for extending the Circular Railway.
“In Garden Reach, we will require some land to erect pillars for the viaduct. People should allow us to do so as this new stretch will ease traffic congestion. People would not need as much time as they do today to commute to work. These are things that lead to development,” she said.
The five new stations along the route will be Metiabruz, Garden Reach, Santoshpur (New), Remount Road and Kachchi Sadak. While the station at Garden Reach would be named after Wajed Ali Shah, the one at Remount Road would be called Rani Rashmoni. The estimated cost for this extension will be 268.52 crore.
“All of these are sanctioned projects. We have several plans for these areas. We would not like Metiabruz to be remembered as a place where a certain riot took place. We would want such places to be known for the contribution they make towards development of the country. We are part of UPA-II and will do our best for development of Bengal and other states. I have another project in mind for Majerhat. I will announce that as soon as I get clearance from the port. Wait for another two to three years and you will witness the change,” she said.

The Railway Minister, Mamata Banerjee told in a public meeting in Cooch Behar on Saturday that work on the wagon factory at Kanchrapara was on schedule. She maintained that all the projects announced by her had proper sanction.

Source: http://www.taratv.com/west_bengal.php?task=full&newsid=4045

Krishnanagar is the head city of Nadia. Within December 2012, two new BG EMU service will be started from Krishnanagar.

The Krishnanagar – Shantipur NG line is under GC, and is targeted to be completed before 31st March ‘11. Then some Shantipur locals will be extended up to Krishnanagar, and a new/existing Lalgola passenger will run via Shantipur.

The Krishnanagar – Nabadwipghat NG line is also under GC, and is targeted to be completed before 31st March’12.
Then some Krishnanagar locals will be extended up to Nabadwipghat, and some new Nabadwipghat local would be introduced.

Bust the most interesting news is that the line will cross River Bhagirathi and link with Katwa line at Nabadwipdham!

Just imagine, what will be the future!
Some Nabadwipghat locals could be extended to Nabadwipdham, and also some express trains could be introduced towards Azimganj, Jamalpur or Maldaha via Nabadwipghat, but the construction of the large bridge on the river is the main construction, and it will take at least 3 years if it will be in full pace.

Best of luck for Nabadwip.

Best of luck for Nabadwip.

Good plan indeed !!
I think they are heading in the right direction.Keep metro rails within the city limits and add locals in the suburbs.IMO,the suburban network in WB is better than Mumbai.Chennai & Hyderabad suburban network doen't come into comparison also.There are more than 50 local routes in the Kolkata suburban rail network and it is still expanding.Once the new map comes,I doubt one couldn't make out something because it will be nothing but a dense web !!People could travel more than 200km by local trains(Katwa,Medinipur)..unimaginable.
Also,the exterior of kolkata suburban trains look shabby,its quality is very good.By quality,I mean resistant to corrosion & damages.Anyone agrees or denies,Kolkata has a good public transportation system.

Inside Hwh station. PF17
http://img84.imageshack.us/img84/3757/image0886.jpg

Line Quadrupling w-i-p between Tikiapara to Santragachi
http://img16.imageshack.us/img16/4492/image0887c.jpg

Before independence, Gede line was a very important line of eastern India. All trains of Dhaka & Pabna ran through this route, even former Darjiling Mail. The former route took shorter time to reach Shiligurhi.

(Note: Before Independence, there was direct BG line from Haldibarhi to Shiligurhi via Raninagar. New Jalpaigurhi station wasn’t built that day.)

But after independence, this line lost its important role. Anybody can clearly see that this line is double, whereas Krishnanagar line was single until recent. The line was double because heavy mail/express traffic towards current Bangladesh.

Some years ago, an international train Maitri Express has started running again to Dhaka using this line.

At last a question, what is the current status of Rail Bridge on River Hugli between Garifa & Huglighat? I last visited that branch on 2009, but saw the bridge was incomplete. Has the construction restarted now? It is very important to build this double track bridge for increasing express trains from Shialdaha & Kolkata, because the present bridge is more than 100 years old, and not fit for frequent train running.

I read some years before that after opening the new bridge; the present bridge will be converted as a road bridge. No doubt it is a good idea.

Kolkata’s Circular Rail

AT A GLANCE –

1) The concept arose during sixties for bypassing the Kolkata City Centre by train.
2) First train ran on 1984 using diesel loco hauling coaches, between isolated section from Bagbazar & Princepghat.
3) Extension to Damdam happened later and finally in 1990.
4) Some long distance diesel loco hauled passenger trains & DMU trains introduced in 2000.
5) Electrification completed from Damdam to Princepghat in 2003, which started suburban train service to far suburbs from Princepghat via Damdam.
6) Extension to Majherhat happened in 2006, which completes the circular way.
7) Now EMU trains come from suburbs and go following Damdam – Kolkata – Princepghat – Majherhat – Baliganj – Sir Gurudas Bandopadhyay – Bidhannagar – Damdam and again returns to suburbs. Some trains run vice versa.
8) The route is entirely single line with some crossings at some stations.
9) It entirely follows and old goods railway alignment, although there was no elevated structure of old line.
10) Except the Princepghat-Majherhat section, the line is on surface, and passes under Shialdaha north rail line, Belgachhia tram line, Haorha Bridge and 2nd Hugli Bridge.
11) It crosses former NG Hasnabad rail line at Patipukur.
12) Patipukur station opened as Lake Town station.
13) Ultodingi Road station has replaced later by Kolkata station.
14) Hastings station was cancelled in final plan.
15) Interchange with metro is possible at Damdam and Shobhabazar.
16) Intrchange with tram is possible at Tala, Bagbazar. Binay Badal Dinesh Bag & Kyderpur. Majherhat was formerly served by tram.

Please post here some photographs of the line, trains & stations.

Regards

Ashis Mitra, Kolkata

The bridge connecting Bandel & Naihati(b/w Garifa & HooghlyGhat) really needs to be restructured.Trains move @ a snails pace there and its really in a dangerous state.Its a busy route for the express trains and is an important connection b/w Howrah & Sealdah route.Last heard they are going to introduce some kind of circular rail there - Naihati - Bandel - Tribeni - Magra - Bandel - Naihati (there is a line connecting tribeni & magra but is only dedicated for goods train).Then more trains can ply between that route.

Circular rail is an exclusive thing for Kolkata but its not given so much importance.They should double the entire stretch and beautify the banks of the Hooghly.That would be a real treat.Its a very important network connecting important places along the city and would be of utmost useful if the line is doubled.

Hope MB addresses these points in the upcoming Rail Budget !!!

IMO the circular rail should be upgraded and brought under Kolkata metro.The line should be doubled and New AC Rakes running with overhead electric source should be run on this line.

TELEGRAPH (http://www.telegraphindia.com/1110208/jsp/frontpage/story_13551612.jsp)
Passengers derail blockade, saying it won’t lower prices

Habra, Feb. 7: A group of rail passengers today lived out a fantasy of the harried Calcutta commuter: they stepped off a stalled train, told political protesters this was no way to bring prices down and ensured that the blockade was lifted.

The hour-long blockade in North 24-Parganas’ Habra, 40km from Calcutta, was thus cut short to 15 minutes. Similar scenes, though not on the same scale, played themselves out at least twice more before the day drew to a close.

At Habra, the protesters implored that they were out on the tracks for a people’s cause but the people rebutted with “Thank you and get out”.

Nearly 50 activists of the All India Youth League, the youth wing of Forward Bloc, began squatting on the tracks from 11am to protest the food price rise.

Around 11.05am, the Sealdah-bound train from Bongaon got stuck because of the demonstration. “When we came down and enquired, the protesters said we’d have to wait till noon for the train to move. I was going to my school where the Saraswati Puja programme had to be organised,” said Asit Chatterjee, a teacher of a government-sponsored school at Ashokenagar.

Soon, the number of passengers surrounding the squatters swelled. One of them said he had to visit his ailing father at RG Kar Hospital.

As the protesters turned down the requests, more passengers came down from the train. A scuffle ensued as a passenger tried to remove a Bloc festoon hung across the tracks.

Around this time, Anup Biswas, a Bloc local committee member, pleaded with the passengers that the blockade was in the interest of the people. The passengers shot back that they were no fools to believe such disruptions would help bring prices down.

“This is nothing but politics. You are only adding hardship to our daily ordeal. Leave the tracks now,” said a passenger among the nearly 200 people on platform No. 1.

Heavily outnumbered, the squatters let the train pass around 11.20am. “We failed to make the people understand the need for our agitation,” said Biswas.

Sibu Mondal, who sells cookery and made-easy books on trains, said: “The passengers were initially sent away but as more and more joined the protest, the squatters were forced to oblige.”

Since November, Habra station alone has witnessed at least six blockades, most of them over an hour long.

Bloc district committee member Sanjib Mukherjee admitted that their programme had failed. “The next time, we will take the people into confidence before planning such a programme,” he said.

The tight slap wasn’t apparently enough to teach the Habra squatters a lesson. In the absence of any resistance by the railway authorities, they returned to the tracks after the 11.05 train had passed.

But, by then, word had spread. The next train, too, earned a safe passage for itself. “I told them I had an interview to attend. They must move away,” said Bongaon resident Shila Roy.

Scores of others joined and, this time, the protesters moved without the earlier fuss.

The resistance had a rerun at Barasat, but after about 50 minutes of the blockade. There, sensing the popular mood, former Barasat municipality vice-chairman Sanjib Mukherjee asked his band to disperse.

Told about the protest, a commuter passing through Esplanade wondered: “Will a day come when a mass of people will drive the leaders away from the Metro Channel?”

Last month, the high court made all mainline political outfits party to a public interest litigation calling for a ban on rallies in the heart of Calcutta. The hearing has been adjourned for three months last week.

This is not the first time Habra is hitting the headlines for a similar protest. On April 2, 2010, Habra resident Shyamal Ghosh had jumped on the tracks carrying his hospital-bound two-year-old son and spurred other passengers to help lift a Congress-sponsored rail roko.

TELEGRAPH (http://www.telegraphindia.com/1110208/jsp/frontpage/story_13551612.jsp)
Passengers derail blockade, saying it won’t lower prices



:cheers:

Plan panel upsets Mamataa's gift ideas for Bengal
HINDUSTAN TIMES (http://www.hindustantimes.com/Plan-panel-upsets-Mamataa-s-gift-ideas-for-Bengal/Article1-659721.aspx)

Railways minister Mamataa Banerjee's plan to announce a "pre-election gift" to West Bengal in this year's rail budget is being blocked by the Planning Commission. Two-and-a-half weeks before Banerjee presents this year's rail budget, the Planning Commission had approved 19 major civil works
projects including those relating to the construction of new lines, gauge conversion and doubling projects.

Just two of these are for West Bengal.

The latest list of 13 approved projects costing Rs 10,167 crore does not include a single project from the railways minister's home state.

These projects include the construction of 635 km of new lines at a cost of Rs 5,040 crore besides 632 km of gauge conversion projects costing Rs 2,098 crore and 696 km of doubling schemes at a cost of Rs 3,029 crore.

The issue of possible inclusion of these projects in the upcoming rail budget is scheduled to be discussed at the meeting of the expanded board for railways on February 9.

Documents in possession of the HT indicate that Banerjee's intentions are to parcel out approximately 25% of the total civil works in this year's rail budget for poll-bound Bengal.

Of the 75 proposals sent out to the Planning Commission by the Railways, as many as 19 relate to Bengal.

These include proposals for a new Broad Gauge (BG) line from Okato to Diamond Harbour with link line from Bakrashat to Pujali, a new BG line from Salboni to Jhargram and the 42 km link from Digha to Jaleshwar.

So far, Banerjee's enthusiasm to carve out huge dollops for Bengal in this year's budget has not found much favour with the Planning Commission, finance ministry or the ministry of programme implementation.

"But she is likely to exert her political influence to get the Bengal-related projects included in the budget at the last hour," sources say.

IMO the circular rail should be upgraded and brought under Kolkata metro.The line should be doubled and New AC Rakes running with overhead electric source should be run on this line.

It is not possible because the whole line is on surface except some last stations. It will be double tracked in future. Work has started.

It is not possible because the whole line is on surface except some last stations. It will be double tracked in future. Work has started.

Oho..is it true that work has started for doubling the lines..then it will be good !!!
Double line --> more frequency ---> more reliability among daily passenger --> more popularity .
The circular rail is totally within the city limits and it must be an effective means of transportation if the reliability increases !!!

It is not possible because the whole line is on surface except some last stations. It will be double tracked in future. Work has started.

But who said that the metro cannot run on the surface ?

TELEGRAPH (http://www.telegraphindia.com/1110210/jsp/calcutta/story_13560466.jsp)
Mamata showers gifts on Math
- Swamiji’s teachings help her tide over times when she’s low
A STAFF REPORTER

Mamata Banerjee and Swami Prabhananda, the general secretary of the Ramakrishna Math and Mission, at Wednesday’s programme. (Sanat Kr. Sinha)
Mamata Banerjee rolled out projects and reeled off her admiration for Swami Vivekananda in the same breath at Belur Math on Wednesday, prompting the monks to hail her as the “new hope”.

A parking facility, a dedicated rail link to Belur and a multi-functional complex were Mamata’s three gifts to the headquarters of the Ramakrishna Math and Mission, drawing a huge round of applause from the audience at the Belur BEd College ground.

“Developing a car park is not the job of the railways. But I am listening to my heart and setting aside the technical problems,” said Mamata, addressing the 1,500-strong gathering of monks, students and followers.

Swami Prabhananda, the general secretary of the Mission and the Math, Swami Suvirananda, the assistant general secretary, and Swami Umananda, a former secretary of Purulia Ramakrishna Mission, shared the dais with her.

Mamata announced the car parking facility for over 150 vehicles on railway land — near Belur Math station — after the monks told her that automobile pollution had clothed the temples and other structures at the Math in a thick black coat of soot.

“The Archaeological Survey of India recently conducted a survey of our complex and found that the temples and other structures had been affected by air pollution. So we requested the railway minister to arrange for a parking lot away from the Math. We never thought she would come up with a project so quickly,” said Prabhananda.

The proposal to set up a one-km rail route between Belur station and the Mission campus also came on request.

stretch from Belur station to the Math is a congested one and people face difficulty in reaching the campus. We are planning to introduce a pair of two-coach trains from Howrah to the Math,” a senior railway official said.

Mamata’s decision to build a two-storeyed multi-functional complex at Belur Math station includes facilities like a food plaza, a cyber café, medical stores, a shopping complex, ATMs and STD booths.

“Belur Math is an international tourist destination. I have instructed senior railway officials to quickly start work. I don’t want to hear about future plans, I want these projects to be visible as early as possible,” she said.

Mamata later asked officials to consult the monks before taking key decisions.

If the project announcements invited applause, Mamata’s views on the relevance of Swami Vivekananda’s teachings endeared her to the entire fraternity.

“Swamiji’s Call to Nation has been my biggest source of inspiration. Whenever I am feeling low or facing any doubt, I sift through the pages and gather the strength and courage to move on,” said Mamata.

Swami Umananda then recalled how Mamata had once shown him her Ma Sarada locket.

“We are sure she is being showered with the blessings of Shri Ramakrishna, Ma Sarada and Swamiji because of the kind of work she is doing,” added Swami Suvirananda.

THE BELUR PACKAGE

• A one-km link line between Belur station and the Math

• A 1,500sq m car park for up to 150 vehicles; the proposed parking lot will come up on railway land near Belur station

• A two-storeyed multi-functional complex at Belur station with facilities like food plaza, cyber café, medical stores, shopping complex, ATMs, STD booths and
car park.

^^ Related news from TOI

Rlys move to save Belur Math structures
Didi Lays Car Park Foundation To Solve Pollution Problem
TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Howrah: Railways minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday announced measures to prevent heritage structures on the Belur Math premises from getting damaged due to vehicular pollution. Acting on the request from the Ramakrishna Mission, the railways has decided to build a parking lot on a 1,500-square meter plot on GT Road. Though close to Belur Math, parking of vehicles here will not affect the structures on the Math premises.
“When the railways minister visited Belur Math, our president highlighted certain problems that we are facing. One of these is the pollution due to the hundreds of vehicles that people park every day outside the main gate. The heritage structures of the Math are suffering due to this. The Archeological Survey of India recommended that vehicles be parked at least four furlongs away. For that we needed a parking space and the railways is doing that,” said Swami Prabhananda, general secretary of Ramakrishna Mission.
Ramakrishna Mission authorities were also pleased with Mamata’s decision to connect the Belur Math station with Belur railway station, which is one kilometre away. According to Swami Prabhananda, this would help more people to travel Belur Math from the 172 centres and 29 sub-centres of Ramakrishna Mission across the country. He said Mamata a popular leader.
The railways minister later said: “Swamiji’s message is my inspiration. Whenever I am depressed, I read Swamiji’s book, ‘Call to the Nation’. During those turbulent days of Singur movement, I uses to wonder how to tackle so many opponents. Swamiji’s teachings showed the way. They have helped me to have a positive outlook,” Mamata said.
She said that the railways will build the car parking as a pilot project. The parking lot will be maintained jointly by the railways and Belur Math.
Directing all officials to discuss with Math authorities before taking any decision on projects in the vicinity, Mamata also laid the foundation stone for a multifunctional complex at the Belur Math station.
“This two-storey complex will have a food plaza, cyber cafe, chemist outlet, shopping complex and ATM counters,” Mamata said.

^^ MSNINDIA (http://news.in.msn.com/national/article.aspx?cp-documentid=4902158)

Mamata Banerjee lays foundation of new railway line

Kolkata, Feb 9 (PTI) Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee today laid the foundation stone for construction of a new railway line between Belur Math and Belur stations for convenience of devotees visiting the Ramkrishna Mission there.
She also laid the foundation stone for a multi-purpose complex at the Belur Math station and for car parking there.
This new line will enable the trains to move from the Belur Math station directly to the main line connecting Bandel and Bardhaman in West Bengal.
Passengers visiting Belur Math will not have to alight at Liluah station in Howrah district and change trains, railway sources said.
Belur Math is the global headquarters of the Ramkrishna Math and Mission.
"People come to Ramkrishna Math from various parts of the world. And the new line covering a distance of one km would benefit the devotees visiting Ramkrishna Math at Belur," Banerjee said.

down with the tantrums :bash:

Isn't a line upto Belur Math already there at place presently. I heard that a pair of train ply between howrah & belurmath in the morning and one in the afternoon. But while travelling In Bandel local,I haven't noticed that line.From where is it deviating from the main line??Is it from Liluah ??And moreover,if a line is already there,what is the necessity of laying this newly proposed line??? Can't understand...anyone having a clue ??? Ashis/others please clarify !!!!

http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/TOIKM/2011/02/12/13/Img/Ad0130309.png

^^

Should be much useful for dead end stations like Howrah, Chennai central, Mumbai CST etc.,

The CURRENT Belurh math line is turning right at 90 degree from Lilua station, but EMU trains from Haorha doesn't stop at Lilua, they go bypassing the platforms directly to Belurh Math. The proposed line will turn left 90 degree from Belurh station and will join the existing line. You should be careful to see the line to going Bali, seating right side of the train from Haorha. After the new line , Trains can go to Belurhmath to Bali directly, in fat up to Udhampur also.

Surface running is not possible for metro because of 3rd rail.

As I wrote before, it is now happening. Electrification of Tamluk – Kanthi section & Shantipur – Krishnanagar section has been completed in February. The Rainagar – Matnasibpur section of Masagram – Rainagar line has also completed (this is still not electrified). Train services on these lines are expected before July.

There are two new lines are under construction. One is from Bangaon to Bagda and another is from Maslandpur to Swarupnagar. After completing, EMU service will start. We would get new Swarupnagar locals from Shialdaha / Kolkata, and some extended Bangaon locals to Bagda, and some new Bagda locals. On the first stage Bagda line will be constructed upto Chandabazar from Bangaon. A line is under survey from Bangaon to Kalyani.

Surface running is not possible for metro because of 3rd rail.

Metro does not always require a 3rd rail . Delhi Metro does not have a 3rd rail . It has overhead supply.

Metro does not always require a 3rd rail . Delhi Metro does not have a 3rd rail . It has overhead supply.

Yes.. but Kolkata Metro runs on third rail.. and all proposed lines of Kolkata Metro will also run on third rail..

Yes.. but Kolkata Metro runs on third rail.. and all proposed lines of Kolkata Metro will also run on third rail..

yes I know that , but it does not mean that if we convert the circular rail to ametro rail then it has to be on 3rd rail . In metro each and every line is independent of the other lines . Trains from one line never goes on to the other line . So in this case the supply for circular rail can be provided from the overhead supply.

yes I know that , but it does not mean that if we convert the circular rail to ametro rail then it has to be on 3rd rail . In metro each and every line is independent of the other lines . Trains from one line never goes on to the other line . So in this case the supply for circular rail can be provided from the overhead supply.

Yes, I agree with you that the Circular Rail needs to be converted to a Metro. I would however want it to be elevated, rather than on the ground..

Train of gifts for Bengal in Rly Budget?

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Kolkata: Is Bengal getting a windfall this Railway Budget too, considering it is very close to the assembly elections? Railway minister Mamata Banerjee will certainly have the state in mind while placing the 2011-12 budget before the Parliament on February 25, say retired railway officials. Most announcements are expected to be populist that will not address the real problems.
“There will be no increase in passenger fares. Mamata may even announce some more schemes like the Izzat monthly. I believe she will also announce more rail-related industries for the state. Her primary aim is to woo voters from north Bengal and districts of East Midnapore, West Midnapore, Purulia and Bankura. There will be more allocation towards projects for which she had laid the foundation stones in the last couple of years,” an official in Delhi said.
Retired officials believe that two mega bridges across the Hooghly and Muriganga are in the offing. Mamata may announce connectivity between Majerhat and South Eastern Railway network. For this, a bridge would be required across the Hooghly. This would have to take off somewhere near Santragachhi and come down near Budge Budge. She may also announce the rail-cum-road bridge between Kakdwip and Sagar Island.
“A large number of Metro Railway projects are already under way. It is possible that the railway minister will announce a link between Barasat and Barrackpore. This was a proposal sent by the Metro. Mamata will also announce her ministry’s involvement with the East-West Metro in Kolkata,” the official said.
Retired officials say that upgradation of suburban services — particularly in the Sealdah division — is the need of the day. The immediate need is to remove the bottleneck near Dum Dum due to which suburban trains are detained on a regular basis. A flyover is required there. However, such an announcement wouldn’t be too populist as people are on the lookout for i m m e d i at e gains. Keeping this in mind, Mamata is expected to announce several more trains, adding to the congestion.
“A n o t h e r area that the minister should concentrate on is the connection between Sealdah and New Jalpaiguri. Travel time between these important locations, 567 km apart, can be brought down considerably if the stretch known as the Sahibgunj Loop is upgraded. Once that happens, it would even be possible to run a Shatabdi-like train on this route. Not everybody prefers to travel by night trains,” another official said.
According to sources, Mamata is expected to announce a few more Duranto Expresses. While it is true that the Durantos have become immensely popular, additional trains will result in more pressure on maintenance yards. Maintenance staff and supervisors have been complaining about the lack of spares and manpower for quite some time now. While new coaches will not be available in a hurry, importance will have to be paid towards maintenance as existing rakes are under tremendous pressure.

Retired officials believe that two mega bridges across the Hooghly and Muriganga are in the offing. Mamata may announce connectivity between Majerhat and South Eastern Railway network. For this, a bridge would be required across the Hooghly. This would have to take off somewhere near Santragachhi and come down near Budge Budge. She may also announce the rail-cum-road bridge between Kakdwip and Sagar Island.

Not a bad idea but what about implementation ??

“A large number of Metro Railway projects are already under way. It is possible that the railway minister will announce a link between Barasat and Barrackpore. This was a proposal sent by the Metro. Mamata will also announce her ministry’s involvement with the East-West Metro in Kolkata,” the official said.

Let they complete taking metro upto Barackpore & Barasat and then they could have planned their connectivity.

Retired officials say that upgradation of suburban services — particularly in the Sealdah division — is the need of the day. The immediate need is to remove the bottleneck near Dum Dum due to which suburban trains are detained on a regular basis. A flyover is required there. However, such an announcement wouldn’t be too populist as people are on the lookout for i m m e d i at e gains. Keeping this in mind, Mamata is expected to announce several more trains, adding to the congestion.
“A n o t h e r area that the minister should concentrate on is the connection between Sealdah and New Jalpaiguri. Travel time between these important locations, 567 km apart, can be brought down considerably if the stretch known as the Sahibgunj Loop is upgraded. Once that happens, it would even be possible to run a Shatabdi-like train on this route. Not everybody prefers to travel by night trains,” another official said.

I like these retired officials !!!:)

http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/TOIKM/2011/02/16/10/Img/Ad0100605.png

CC Tripping in India's

http://img706.imageshack.us/img706/618/27626109769c46737dedb.jpg

The local train from Tarakeshwar departs for Howrah

CC Tripping in India's

http://img535.imageshack.us/img535/6103/2762609832859266cc2ab.jpg

A local train arrives at Singur station

CC My Grand Observatory

http://img39.imageshack.us/img39/7862/47228322257f2fc929eab.jpg

The Kolkata Local

CC by bertietwo78

http://img593.imageshack.us/img593/7805/2142199980bf09d14b72b.jpg


Circular Rail train at Bagbazaar Station in Kolkata

@B2C---Nice updates and pics there...please continue posting pics of suburban network of Kolkata.....the trains look shabby but i know their quality is good enough and is purely endurable...

Anyone having a map of following things please post it here :
1. Total rail network of West Bengal.
2. Rail connectivity in and around Kolkata consisting metro,circular & suburban rail !!

Anyway,they have to update that map after 25th Feb :lol:

Thanks Souvik :cheers:

http://img109.imageshack.us/img109/8859/iimg0002.jpg

http://img137.imageshack.us/img137/5146/iimg0001.jpg

http://img405.imageshack.us/img405/3929/iimg0003.jpg

@B2C...thanks for taking up the initiative to post the maps but those are not updated it seems...IR doesn't seems bothered to update their ongoing projects in the maps !!!!:ohno:

Regarding Sonarpur-Barrackpore is that a metro route or surburban rail route?

@B2C...thanks for taking up the initiative to post the maps but those are not updated it seems...IR doesn't seems bothered to update their ongoing projects in the maps !!!!:ohno:

It is too hard to find the updated maps .

Regarding Sonarpur-Barrackpore is that a metro route or surburban rail route?

That sould be a suburban rail route.

Mamataa’s train of non-viable Bengal projects

Hindustan Times (http://www.hindustantimes.com/News-Feed/newdelhi/Mamataa-s-train-of-non-viable-Bengal-projects/Article1-663337.aspx#)

New Delhi , February 17, 2011 Email to Author

Railways Minister Mamataa Banerjee's list of West Bengal projects for inclusion in the upcoming railway budget is mostly comprised of schemes that have been accessed as having a hugely negative rate of return (ROR). Of the total of 75 projects posed for clearance by the Finance Ministry and the Plan ning Commission, 19 schemes (approximately 25%) are related to West Bengal.

The big ticket projects being pitched for inclusion comprise the ambitious plan to construct a 33-kilometre rail link connecting Dumdum to Garia via Rajerhat at a cost of R1,565 crore. The ROR for this project has been assessed at minus 45%.

The rate of return figures indicate estimated ridership and revenue projections following the implementation of the project.

Railways ministers have justified inclusion of such non-viable projects on grounds that these are "socially desirable", but past experience has shown that such projects have always been short on funds.

"Apart from the political symbolism attached to such announcements, the inclusion of such projects does not cost much as only marginal sums are apportioned for implementation," said Sumant Chak of the Asian Institute of Rail Transport. Sources indicate that among the Bengal projects sought for inclusion in the upcoming budget include the proposed 48-kilometre rail link connecting Joka to Diamond Harbour with link line from Bakrahat to Pujali.

This project, costing R353 crore, has been assessed as having a minus 20% rate of return.

Similarly, the proposed 14-kilometre circular rail link connecting Tala-Principghat to Majerhat has a rate of return of minus 28%.

Costing R50 crore, the proposed 16-kilometre rail link from Chowrigacha to Kandi not only has a minus 24% ROR, but the Railways - after completing the survey work in 2004-05 - had also decided to shelve the project.

"Rail finances are in a mess. Particularly at this juncture, the inclusion of projects that do not bring proper return cannot be justified. Politicians only do such things for votes" and this 'tamasha' (drama) has been going on", retired railway official Satish Vaish said.

Of the eleven projects worth R10, 167 crore that have so far been cleared for inclusion in the upcoming budget, none relates to the Railways Minister's home state.

Local trains to stop twice at Kamarkundu

TIMES NEWS NETWORK (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata-/Local-trains-to-stop-twice-at-Kamarkundu/articleshow/7512086.cms)
Kolkata: Wonders never seem to cease in West Bengal, more so where the Indian Railways are concerned. A few weeks ago, the operating motorman of a Metro Railway train apparently forgot to open the doors at the Netaji station. Now, the Eastern Railway has planned to stop every EMU local at the Kamarkundu station twice as the platforms aren’t long enough to accommodate 12-coach rakes.
“From Friday, we plan to run 12-coach EMU rakes in the Howrah-Burdwan chord line section. There are 28 stations between Howrah and Burdwan. Of these, platforms of 27 have been extended to accommodate 12-coach trains. However, the work at Kamarkundu station couldn’t be completed. From Friday, four Up locals and three in the Down direction will stop at Kamarkundu. On every occasion, the train will stop twice for the benefit of commuters in all coaches,” a senior ER official said.
Motormen driving these trains will have an interesting task on hand. They will first take the train to the extreme end of the platform — as they do in all cases — and stop for 30 seconds. During this period, the last two compartments of the train will be out of the platform. After 30 seconds, the motorman will start and move forward. He will stop again when the guard in the rear gives an indication that all compartments have entered the platform. This stop will also be of 30 seconds.
“The commuters will be able to get off at Kamarkundu. We cannot wait any further before introducing 12-coach rakes. By running these rakes, we are increasing passenger capacity by 33% in comparison to the nine-coach rakes. We will print posters and make announcements at all stations to raise awareness among commuters. Passengers’ associations have also been taken into confidence,” the official said.
But what is it that kept ER from extending the platforms at Kamarkundu? According to officials, the platforms can only be extended at one end as the station’s layout will not allow increasing of the length towards the level crossing gate. There are encroachments at the end where the railways have planned extension. Railways minister Mamata Banerjee had recently offered to relocate the encroachers.
“We will require some more time before we can extend the platforms sufficiently for the station to accommodate 12-coach trains. Till then, we will have to continue with this arrangement,” said Partha Sarathi Mondal, divisional railway manager, Howrah.

http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/TOIKM/2011/02/17/7/Img/Ad0070817.png

http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/TOIKM/2011/02/17/7/Img/Ad0070707.png

That sould be a suburban rail route.

This route has been canceled.

To serve more remote areas of Sundarban, there are 4 new lines/extensions is under construction.
1) Hasnabad line will go upto Hingalganj. We would get some extended Hasnabad locals to Hingalganj, and some new Hingalganj locals. On the first stage Hingalganj line will be constructed upto Pratapadityanagar from Hasnabad.
2) Canning line will go upto Gosaba. We would get some extended Canning locals to Gosaba, and some new Gosaba locals. On the first stage Gosaba line will be constructed upto Bhangankhali from Canning.
3) Namkhana line will go upto Bakkhali. We would get some extended Namkhana locals to Bakkhali, and some new Bakkhali locals. On the first stage Bakkhali line will be constructed upto Chandranagar from Namkhana.
4) A new line will be constructed from Jaynagar to Raydighi. We would get new Raydighi locals from Shialdaha / Kolkata.

Sundarban, the largest Delta of the world will come nearer of us.

Yes, I agree with you that the Circular Rail needs to be converted to a Metro. I would however want it to be elevated, rather than on the ground..

The Damdam - BBD Bag - Majherhat line will not be converted to metro, it is under doubling. I saw on Monday that doubling has started between Bagbazar & Tala. A branch will go from Remount Road to Santoshpur.

This route has been canceled.

To serve more remote areas of Sundarban, there are 4 new lines/extensions is under construction.
1) Hasnabad line will go upto Hingalganj.
2) Canning line will go upto Gosaba.
3) Namkhana line will go upto Bakkhali.
4) A new line will be constructed from Jaynagar to Raydighi.

Sundarban, the largest Delta of the world will come nearer of us.

Thats good news....If this hapens whole of Sunderbans will be connected via rail. Also heard that Kakdwip line will be extended to Sagar.

Rail Budget: What do people expect from Mamata? (http://www.rediff.com/business/slide-show/slide-show-1-budget-2011-railway-budget-what-do-common-people-expect/20110217.htm)

^^her PJs equally heart breaking Shayaris!!!...:lol:

A very sentimental picture of Singur Hoogly area, rural Bengal is still so lovely. Just imagine if Singur plant would start functioning what would happen to this sleepy town? It would be completely transformed!!

http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/TOIKM/2011/02/18/7/Img/Ad0070605.png

The union rail budget 2011-2012 is about to come by February end week.

*There shall not be any reduction or expansion in the fare of ordinary and Air Conditioned class.

*The fare of all class in Shatabdi Express and Yuwa Express will be reduced by 10%.

*New coach factory to be set up at Kota Junction, Digha & Nagpur

* There were several demands of the people to start the train services including the Duronto and Shatabdis. A long chart have been prepared under approval of honourable Railway minister to claim in the upcoming rail budget of 2011-2012.

The following new 90 Train services are proposed for the rail budget, out of which only 75 services will be taken under consideration and will be announced for rail budget 2011-2012.


Listing the trains related to this thread only :

*Howrah - Madurai Express (tri weekly)
*Howrah - Una Express (5 days a week)
*Howrah - Jammu Express (tri weekly)
*Howrah - Dehradun Express (bi weekly via. Agra)
*Howrah - Kolhapur Express (weekly)
*Jodhpur - Howrah AC Express (daily via. Nagpur - Bhopal)
*Howrah - Jaisalmer Express (bi weekly)
*Howrah - Bhuj Express (4 days a week)
*Dhanbad - Pune Express (bi weekly via. Allahabad)
*Howrah - Pune Express (daily via. Bhopal - Katni)
*Howrah - Firozpur Express (bi weekly)
*Howrah - Mysore Express (bi weekly)
*Howrah - Chennai AC Duronto (tri weekly)
*Howrah - Guwahati AC Duronto (bi weekly)
*Howrah - Lucknow AC Duronto (weekly)
*Howrah - Agra AC Express (daily)
*Digha - Tirunelveli Express (weekly)
*Howrah - Bareily Express (daily)
*Howrah - Valsad Express (weekly via. Manmad)
*Mumbai CST - Tata Express (bi weekly via. Allahabad)
*Puri - Guwahati Express (daily via. Howrah)
*Patna - Howrah Shatabdi Express (5 days a week)
*Guwahati - Howrah Shatabdi Express (bi weekly)
*Sainagar Shirdi - Howrah Express (daily)
*Asansol - Trivandrum Express (tri weekly)
*Howrah - Kanpur Express (daily)


A list of passenger train services have been identified in between :

*Howrah - Barbil

Bengal land tussle derails India-Bhutan link plans
HINDUSTAN TIMES (http://www.hindustantimes.com/Bengal-land-tussle-derails-India-Bhutan-link-plans/Article1-664504.aspx)

Land acquisition politics in poll-bound West Bengal is derailing the first India-Bhutan rail link project. The project, laced with strategic, business and symbolic underpinnings, was expected to be completed in 2013. With a host issues plaguing the project — announced by Prime Minister M
anmohan Singh while addressing the Bhutan parliament in May 2008 — New Delhi is mulling the over an alternative route.

The 17.5-km railway line starting from Hasimara in West Bengal going through Satali, Bharna Bari and Dalsingpara to Toribari in Bhutan was named to mark the golden jubilee of the visit of India’s first PM Jawaharlal Nehru to the Himalayan kingdom in 1958.

The rail link, which was keeping in mind China’s push to rail network in South Asia, is now stuck in a web of land acquisition politics.

Technical and feasibility studies by the Railways estimated around 3,000 families will have to be resettled for the link. Tea estate owners and workers in the area protested the project.

The state government also expressed concerns as the railway line has to pass through the elephant corridor of North Bengal, like Dalsingpara, near Jaigaon forests.

The land acquisition agitation started by Mamataa Banerjee is affecting the project too, as the Bengal government is not keen on getting into issues involving land. “Unless we sort out the land issue forward movement is not possible. We have updated all these developments to the Bhutan side,” said a government official.

Since 2005 feasibility studies for various links to Bhutan have been studied — Hasimara (West Bengal) to Phuentsholing; Kokrajhar (Assam) to Gelephu; Pathsala (Assam) to Nanglam; Rangiya (Assam) to Samdrupjongkhar; and Banarhat (West Bengal) to Samtse.

Some officials say an alternate plan will only lead to more resettlements. “Toribari is close to Phuentsholing, the major trade point. Phuentsholing was the original plan, and Toribar was found on Bhutan government’s request. We are keen on alternative route to get the project off,” said an official.

The stations of Sealdah sections needs to be upgraded.The stations and station premises also needs to be freed from hwakers and encroachers.Sealdah section is the most neglected section due to lazy attitude of E.R.

When the Jiaganj-Azimganj(Nasipur) rail link will be completed?
The bridge over river Bhagirathi is completed(seen in news channel).But the link with the Jiaganj was not completed then.

^^ wasn't this link announced in the last budget ? If they have completed the bridge then I would assume work was done at a very hectic pace ..

and is there any signs of work on the new bridge next to the jubliee bridge connecting Naihati with Bandel ?

http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/TOIKM/2011/02/17/7/Img/Ad0070707.png

I don't mind seeing pics of a smiling Miss Mamataa Bannerjee in Railway advertisements. But she definitely needs to kick out the advertisement company and the people in charge of the advertisement section. The ads are very unprofessional in this age and time. They look right out of my grandmother's old Bengali magazines.

I feel circular rail hold lot of potential to become a convinient mode of transportation in the city. It passes through many important parts of city. It needs some attention to make it preferable mode of commutation. These include increased frequency, investment in upgradation signalling system, comfortable accomodation. This needs to have dedicated circular rail route where modern rakes can be introduced. The missing link of circular rail can be completed. All this needs a fair bit of investment. I feel here PPP model can be explored because depending on railways may for funds entirely may not be good option. Private partener may be given some attractive offer so that it can make profit out of this project. It is a win win situation for commuter, IR and private player. But this may only be possible if IR is ready to chnge its mindset and welcome private player to become partner to this project.:)

I don't mind seeing pics of a smiling Miss Mamataa Bannerjee in Railway advertisements. But she definitely needs to kick out the advertisement company and the people in charge of the advertisement section. The ads are very unprofessional in this age and time. They look right out of my grandmother's old Bengali magazines.

:lol:

Cross posting from other thread bcoz its very much related to this one :
Courtesy : sourav_68

New lines needed in Sealdah section

1)Ranaghat-Duttaphulia

2)Halishar-Bandel(this link was present in the British era,but for an unknown reason the link was stopped by E.R)

3)Link between S.E.R line and Sealdah E.R line via Majerhat.

Quadrupling & Doubling

1)Naihati-Ranaghat Quadrupling

2)4'th line between Naihati and Kankinara

3)Doubling of Ranaghat-Bongaon

4)Doubling of Ranaghat-Shantipur

5)Bandel-Katwa doubling(in progress but speed needs to be increased)

6)Howrah-Kharagpur quadrupling

New trains needed

1)Sealdah-Bethuadahari MEMU

2)More Sealdah-Ranaghat Locals

3)New trains between Purulia and Howrah at day time.

4)Sealdah-Bolpur Intercity

5)Sealdah-Baharampur Court Intercity

6)Sealdah-NJP Durnoto

7)More Burdwan locals from Sealdah(via Bandal and Dankuni).

8)More Katwa locals from Sealdah(galloping local).

I feel circular rail hold lot of potential to become a convinient mode of transportation in the city. It passes through many important parts of city. It needs some attention to make it preferable mode of commutation. These include increased frequency, investment in upgradation signalling system, comfortable accomodation. This needs to have dedicated circular rail route where modern rakes can be introduced. The missing link of circular rail can be completed. All this needs a fair bit of investment. I feel here PPP model can be explored because depending on railways may for funds entirely may not be good option. Private partener may be given some attractive offer so that it can make profit out of this project. It is a win win situation for commuter, IR and private player. But this may only be possible if IR is ready to chnge its mindset and welcome private player to become partner to this project.:)

+100.

The union rail budget 2011-2012 is about to come by February end week.

*There shall not be any reduction or expansion in the fare of ordinary and Air Conditioned class.

*The fare of all class in Shatabdi Express and Yuwa Express will be reduced by 10%.

*New coach factory to be set up at Kota Junction, Digha & Nagpur

* There were several demands of the people to start the train services including the Duronto and Shatabdis. A long chart have been prepared under approval of honourable Railway minister to claim in the upcoming rail budget of 2011-2012.

The following new 90 Train services are proposed for the rail budget, out of which only 75 services will be taken under consideration and will be announced for rail budget 2011-2012.


Listing the trains related to this thread only :

*Howrah - Madurai Express (tri weekly)
*Howrah - Una Express (5 days a week)
*Howrah - Jammu Express (tri weekly)
*Howrah - Dehradun Express (bi weekly via. Agra)
*Howrah - Kolhapur Express (weekly)
*Jodhpur - Howrah AC Express (daily via. Nagpur - Bhopal)
*Howrah - Jaisalmer Express (bi weekly)
*Howrah - Bhuj Express (4 days a week)
*Dhanbad - Pune Express (bi weekly via. Allahabad)
*Howrah - Pune Express (daily via. Bhopal - Katni)
*Howrah - Firozpur Express (bi weekly)
*Howrah - Mysore Express (bi weekly)
*Howrah - Chennai AC Duronto (tri weekly)
*Howrah - Guwahati AC Duronto (bi weekly)
*Howrah - Lucknow AC Duronto (weekly)
*Howrah - Agra AC Express (daily)
*Digha - Tirunelveli Express (weekly)
*Howrah - Bareily Express (daily)
*Howrah - Valsad Express (weekly via. Manmad)
*Mumbai CST - Tata Express (bi weekly via. Allahabad)
*Puri - Guwahati Express (daily via. Howrah)
*Patna - Howrah Shatabdi Express (5 days a week)
*Guwahati - Howrah Shatabdi Express (bi weekly)
*Sainagar Shirdi - Howrah Express (daily)
*Asansol - Trivandrum Express (tri weekly)
*Howrah - Kanpur Express (daily)


A list of passenger train services have been identified in between :

*Howrah - Barbil

Very hopeful news, but where do you get te news? Will it really true?

Very hopeful news, but where do you get te news? Will it really true?

Saw it in budget thread...thought that it is relevant to this one !! The guy posting this news is s.yogendra !

^^ wasn't this link announced in the last budget ? If they have completed the bridge then I would assume work was done at a very hectic pace ..

and is there any signs of work on the new bridge next to the jubilee bridge connecting Naihati with Bandel ?

No the link was announced in Lalus budget.Work started in 2005.
Last budget a train Krishnanagar-Farraka passenger via this link was announced.

I haven't seen any work on the new jubilee bridge.

http://www.tendertimes.com/tenderpages/er/T0712621.htm

I feel circular rail hold lot of potential to become a convinient mode of transportation in the city. It passes through many important parts of city. It needs some attention to make it preferable mode of commutation. These include increased frequency, investment in upgradation signalling system, comfortable accomodation. This needs to have dedicated circular rail route where modern rakes can be introduced. The missing link of circular rail can be completed. All this needs a fair bit of investment. I feel here PPP model can be explored because depending on railways may for funds entirely may not be good option. Private partener may be given some attractive offer so that it can make profit out of this project. It is a win win situation for commuter, IR and private player. But this may only be possible if IR is ready to chnge its mindset and welcome private player to become partner to this project.:)

It is still sad that after decades, Indian Railways still hasn't been able to give maximum benefit to the city using this good project. That's what gives you the bad feeling when you hear that Indian Railways will be building the metro network in the city. Do they even have any proper plans or is the combination of lack of funding and mismanagement on part of Indian Railways?

Sealdah South section needs third line. Heard that it will start from Jadavpur station. And when Metro will connect with New Garia Station, many trains will run upto Jadavpur Station no more upto Sealdah. There are already excess land adjoining to Jadavpur station. Anyone knows about the latest development ??????

http://www.tendertimes.com/tenderpages/er/T0712621.htm

Instead they could repair the Jubilee bridge on urgent basis. That is a damn important link !!

Sealdah South section needs third line. Heard that it will start from Jadavpur station.
That is a very good idea indeed. South section need much more frequent trains.They could use the third line according to their need in peak hours !!! Better to start it from Sealdah if possible..though there is a bottleneck near the Park Circus stn..Moreover,they are planning to open many lines in the Sunderbans...undoubtedly number of trains in this section will increase rapidly .

And when Metro will connect with New Garia Station, many trains will run upto Jadavpur Station no more upto Sealdah.
That is not at all a good idea. Can you please explain this ??

Instead they could repair the Jubilee bridge on urgent basis. That is a damn important link !!

A new Jubilee Bridge construction work is going beside of the old one,work started in 2001,but working speed is so slow that only the base pillars are only completed till now.Don't know when it will be completed.If any forrumer uses that link then please post a new pic.of construction.

It is not possible to strengthen the old bridge for it's age.

Mamata calls on UPA brass to clear pet rail proposals



Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee sought the urgent intervention of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee barely days before Railway Budget 2011-12 is tabled in Parliament on February 25/26.

Mamata BanerjeeBanerjee wants the two top leaders of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) to nudge the Planning Commission into including some of her most important initiatives in the Railway Budget. Many of them relate to West Bengal, which will hold Assembly elections later this year.

According to sources in the railway ministry, the Planning Commission has so far cleared only around 12 projects of the initial list of more than 40. As this is likely to be her last Budget before the crucial West Bengal elections, Banerjee wants to shore up her Trinamool Congress party’s electoral – and her own chief ministerial – prospects with goodies.

But the Planning Commission has reservations on the proposals related to West Bengal. Her Railway Budget last year had several projects that were not vetted beforehand by the Planning Commission and carried the caveat “only if the Planning Commission approves”.

Banerjee held a long meeting with Mukherjee on Tuesday and will meet Singh on Wednesday for consultations on her Budget preparations. Banerjee, chief of the second-largest constituent of the UPA with 19 seats, plans to introduce two more Duranto (non-stop) trains, from Howrah to Guwahati and Chennai. She has drawn up plans to increase the frequency of three Durontos linked to Kolkata: Howrah-Mumbai, Howrah-Yashwantpur and Sealdah-New Delhi.

Banerjee also wants to announce a slew of projects for the northeast, especially Sikkim. Her party won five seats in the Arunachal Pradesh Assembly elections last year and recently bagged its first seat in the Manipur Assembly.

Her Budget may contain a survey proposal for the Sebak-Rangpo and Rangpo-Gangtok lines, apart from track construction between Murkongselek and Pasighat in Arunachal Pradesh. She may also announce a special project to connect the seven northeastern states through the railway network.

Banerjee’s Railway Budget may introduce a multimodal transport system covering around 100 km in Hyderabad and Secunderabad. In her last Budget, she had unveiled proposals for the youth, weaker sections of society and women. This time, Banerjee wants to introduce special trains for the youth.

During preparation for the Railway Budget last year, Banerjee had a bitter argument with the finance minister at a meeting of the Cabinet committee on infrastructure. As Banerjee surprised the panel with a host of last-minute proposals, Mukherjee -- known to be a stickler for protocol -- argued with Banerjee over procedure.

This time, Banerjee is not taking any chances. As the West Bengal elections draw closer, she clearly wants to keep the top brass of the UPA government in the loop and secure the necessary clearances in advance.

^^when is the Railway Budget being officialy tabled on???25th or 26th?

Source: 24Ghanta

After the death of a youth in dumdum station turned out a battlefield. Local people disrupted train services on the route as well as burnt Guard's Restroom and broke many other railway properties!
Railway services resumed on that track only after 7 in the evening!
it all started at 3.20pm when a youth who was busy chatting on cell phone and walking on the tracks, when up Barrackpore local hit him from backside!
On knowing this Railways sent a injury memo for picking the youth as he was lying injured, but by the time the trolley reached there, the youth was already dead, so the porters returned back. This resulted in public going berserk, who were not passengers but locals living near the tracks!!..not only did they block the rail tracks but also damaged and burnt Railway properties..:nuts::bash::wallbash:

That is a very good idea indeed. South section need much more frequent trains.They could use the third line according to their need in peak hours !!! Better to start it from Sealdah if possible..though there is a bottleneck near the Park Circus stn..Moreover,they are planning to open many lines in the Sunderbans...undoubtedly number of trains in this section will increase rapidly .


That is not at all a good idea. Can you please explain this ??

Many people who come from South 24 Pgns and work in the offices situated in Dharmatalla/BBD Bag etc now get down at Jadavpur or Ballyguange or Sealdah and then use buses to reach their destination.
But when Metro will be in full service, most of them will get down in New Garia and use Metro service to reach to their offices.
So, Railways needn't run so many trains to Sealdah. Rather they can stop these trains in Jadavpur. This will help in two ways-
1. This will reduce congestion near Sealdah because now so many trains are using two lines to reach Sealdah. So sometimes, they need to wait for long time in Signals.
2. Railways can increase frequency by using the same number of trains and offer better service.

Jadavpur is selected because in Jadavpur railways already has huge land and it is illegally occupied. Few years back, I heard that railway already have served evacuation notice to the illegal occupiers. But don't know what happened after that.

Mamata unlikely to hike fare in Rail Budget

Source : CNN-IBN

This year's Rail Budget could be high on populism and low on Rail reforms as Rail Minister Mamata Banerjee's interests lying in Writers' Building in Kolkata.

The Rail Minister, who flagged off over 30 new trains in West Bengal in the last six months alone, would wait till the state assembly elections get over to hike fares in June/July 2011.

The cash-trapped Railways is unlikely to carry out any major changes in passenger fares in the Rail Budget for the eighth year in succession, even as more than 100 new trains could be announced, including a dozen non-stop Durontos.

The Rail Budget 2011-12, to be presented in Lok Sabha on Friday, could also find mention of mega base kitchens in the metros preparing 50,000 to 1 lakh meals per day for the train passengers. This would be managed by railway itself as per the new catering policy, sources said.

Rail Minister Mamata Banerjee, facing Assembly elections in West Bengal in two months, could also announce a slew of projects for her state, including a rail link connecting the busy Howrah and Sealdah stations running through the densely populated central districts of Kolkata.

Catering to the student community, she could also announce running of student special trains keeping in mind the travel requirement during examinations and trains with only bookings under Tatkal scheme.

A multi-mode transport system between Hyderabad and Secunderabad is likely to find a mention in the budget along with capacity enhancement of the Mumbai suburban rail system.

Banerjee could also announce measures to step up work on the dedicated Rail Freight Corridors project which is lagging behind schedule, while the national transporter would continue to maintain the dynamic pricing policy in freight.

Finance Ministry is likely to grant Rs 20,000 crore as gross budgetary support though the Railways had sought about Rs 39,000 crore from the Centre, the sources said.

As a last ditch effort, Banerjee has reached out to the Planning Commission for approval of many of her pet projects even as the former is understood to be hesitant in accepting most of them.

The sources said the Commission has accepted 14 of the 40 rail projects which she had planned to announce during the Rail Budget.

An SMS-based service for passengers to lodge complaints against rail services is also likely to be announced.

The sources said the number 132 is being finalised for lodging complaints through SMS from anywhere in the country. Like the inquiry number 131, new number 132 will be an all-India service.

The Budget comes at a time when the Railways are facing financial crunch with its operating ratio inching close to 100 level mark. "So there will be a few measures for generation of more internal resources," they said.

A new industrial park, a green toilet manufacturing plant in Nagpur and new coaching complexes at places like Haldia and Majerhat could also figure in the Budget.

For the north-east, a new diesel loco shed is expected to come up in Assam keeping the growing traffic in the region and strategic importance of the place.

More DMU trains are also likely in the Budget for the north-east, as the Railways propose to introduce new Duronto services from Guwahati to New Delhi and Howrah.

With a view to attracting investment, the Railways are likely to announce a few schemes involving private players for the expansion of its network.

Besides the gauge conversion and doubling of lines, the Rail Budget will also have a few proposals for socially desirable projects in backward regions.

"An attempt has been made to accommodate demands from every region, including suggestions from many MPs. So there will be something for every state," the sources said.

Setting up of more Jana Aahar outlets at several stations would be announced to provide quality food at reasonable rates to passengers.

Keeping the safety aspect in mind, the Budget is expected to lay focus on installation of safety-related equipment like train protection warning system (TPWS) and anti-collision device (ACD) at some dense routes.

With trains becoming soft targets for terror attacks, the Railways will spell out an action plan to tackle the situation.

Security upgradation at sensitive stations, recruitment of RPF personnel, deployment of security forces at important trains and close coordination with state governments are some of the plans to be highlighted in the Budget proposals.

With back-to-back agitation by the Gujjars and the Jat community, the Railways which suffered losses, are likely to announce measures to address the issue.

Installation of two bio-diesel plants are to be announced as the Railways embark on a green mission to cut air pollution and reduce diesel consumption.

The Railways are likely to set a target for raising production target of wagons, coaches and locomotives for the 2011-12 fiscal.

A commitment on high speed corridor and progress made so far about the ambitious project could also figure in the Budget.

It is not possible because the whole line is on surface except some last stations. It will be double tracked in future. Work has started.

Why it is not possible to bring the entire circular network under the metro. Metro can run even on the surface also. only some modification require to run the metro coaches on this network...
1) Bulid the third rail for the consumption of electricity.
2) Need to double the lines forb which I think work already started.
3) Need to construct the modern station bulidings.

Third rail is also not needed . The section if converted to metro can still run on Overhead AC lines like Delhi metro . This line will be independent of other lines .

cc: 24 ghanta

> a new coach terminal (either at Dankuni or Majherhat)
> 20 new Durontos
> a multi speciality hospital based on PPP model (Dankuni)
> a direct link between Howrah and Sealdah
> Express trains: Howrah - Puducherry, Howrah - Rameshswaram

cc: 24 ghanta

> > a direct link between Howrah and Sealdah


I don't understand the logic behind this link. When you already have the East -West Metro in this stretch why spend fund, and use space for a different line. :bash:

even i dont find a logic to it, but if Mamta wants, who can stop her???...anyways it will benifit the locals which can be diverted to Sealdah, even long distance trains especially the SER section trains!
For eg: you can have a Sealdah - Chennai direct train!!

A pleasant surprise awaited 72-year-old Kanika Hazra at Howrah station after she alighted from the Rajdhani Express on Wednesday. After being helped off the train, she was wondering how to manage her luggage when a golf-cart like vehicle stopped next to her and drove her to the taxi stand.

Kanika's son said: "I came to know of this scheme from a friend of mine and contacted railway officials. They sent the battery-operated buggy. My mother was thrilled."

Critics may debate railways minister Mamata Banerjee's achievements but she has certainly succeeded in touching the hearts of people. The Trinamool Congress chief has always maintained that she wants to balance the railways' commercial activities with its social obligations.

"The food is better and the compartments have definitely got cleaner in the last few months. The behaviour of the railway staff has also improved," said Moinul Sk, a sales engineer who travels to Delhi frequently by the Rajdhani.

Mamata may have come under fire for her Duranto trains but all seven introduced from Howrah and Sealdah are running to capacity. "People prefer to travel to Puri by the Duranto. The pressure on Puri Express has eased. Save for a few instances, passengers are very happy with the service," a railways official said.

There have been noticeable improvements at suburban stations as well, commuters say. Additional facilities have been provided at stations declared Adarsh' by Mamata.

"Platforms are being swept regularly and there is better lighting in the evening. The station buildings used to look decrepit. They have been repainted and remodelled. Foot overbridges have been repaired and painted. People who live in Kolkata may laugh at such things but a facelift certainly changes things for people like us in the suburbs who have to commute every day under difficult conditions. Even small things matter," said Aveek Ghosh, a chartered accountant who commutes to Kolkata.



Read more: Mamata scores with pro-people schemes - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata-/Mamata-scores-with-pro-people-schemes/articleshow/7566621.cms#ixzz1EwiAhcVR

cc: 24 ghanta


> a direct link between Howrah and Sealdah


What? :lol:

this is what it^^ could be!!...the train might deviate from Howrah outer, go via Liluah to Belur, then x the bridge, and take the chord line to Sealdah!!

~ 50 new services of Integrated sub urban railway services to Kolkata.
~ Track-machine industry to be set up in Uluberia in West Bengal.
~ AC Duronto Sealdah-Puri
~ To set up industrial pack at Nandigram. Coach factory to be set up in Singur.
~ Mamata: North east is our priority area: Diesel locomotive center to be set up at Manipur. Center for excellence to be set up at Darjeeling.

Ruckus in Parliament due to sops given to West Bengal.

~ Mumbai-Howrah, Chennai- Kolkata Duronto trains introduced

Summary

NEW EXPRESS TRAINS :
Asansol-Gorakhpur Express (weekly) via Chhapra, Siwan
Malda Town-Digha Express (weekly) via Rampurhat
Howrah-Secunderabad Express (weekly) via Kharagpur
Bardhaman-Rampurhat Express (tri-weekly)
Howrah-Tirupati Express (weekly)
Puri-Shalimar Express (weekly)
Shalimar-Udaipur Express (weekly) via Katni, Kota
Howrah-Mysore Express (weekly) via Gondia, Adilabad
Digha-Visakhapatnam Express (weekly)
Kolkata-Ajmer Express (weekly) via Asansol
Kolkata-Agra Express (weekly) via Kasganj, Mathura
Howarh-Visakhapatnam Express (weekly)
Howrah-Darbhanga Express (weekly)
Digha-Puri Express (weekly)
Kharagpur-Viluppuram Express (weekly) via Vellore
Purulia-Viluppuram Express (weekly) via Midnapore, Kharagpur, Vellore
Asansol-Gonda Express (weekly) via Chhapra, Mau, Shahganj, Ayodhya
Asansol-Tatanagar Express (tri-weekly) via Purulia
Howrah-Jaisalmer Express (weekly) via Rae Bareli, Ratangarh, Lalgarh
Howrah-Nanded Express (weekly)


NEW DURONTOS :
Sealdah-Puri non AC Duronto (tri-weekly)
Shalimar-Patna Duronto (tri-weekly)


The frequency of following Duronto Trains have been increased:
Mumbai CST-Howrah Duronto Express from 2 days to 4 days
Sealdah-New Delhi Duronto Express from 2 days to 5 days
Howrah-Yesvantpur Duronto Express from 4 days to 5 days

NO KOLKATA-CHENNAI DURONTO ????



The Minister also proposed 50 new services for Kolkata area to strengthen the suburban services. The areas where additional services will be run include Howrah-Uluberia, Howrah-Midnapur, Howrah-Kharagpur, Howrah-Singur, Howrah-Memari, Howrah-Barddhaman, Howrah-Haripal-Tarakeswar, Howrah-Kolaghat, Howrah-Sarupnagar, Sealdah-Canning/Jaynagar Majilpur, Sealdah-Kakdwip-Namkhana, Sealdah-Sonarpur, Sealdah-Baruipur-Diamond Harbour, Sealdah-Barasat-Hasnabad, Sealdah-Thakurnagar, Sealdah-Barasat-Bongaon, Sealdah-Naihati-Ranaghat-Gede, Sealdah-Shantipur-Krishnanagar, Sealdah-Kalyani, Sealdah-Barrackpore, Sealdah-Budge-Budge, Sealdah-Dankuni, Bongaon-Ranaghat-Shantipur, Howrah-Seorraphuli-Bandel and Sealdah-Basirhat. The Minister also proposed to introduce running of a peak time local to BBD Bagh from Bongaon/Krishnanagar. Two non-stop trains between Bardhaman & Howrah have also been proposed.



Four special tourist trains “Janam Bhoomi Gaurav” will be launched to take forward the efforts of promoting Rail Tourism. Presenting the Railway Budget for 2011-12 in the Lok Sabha today, the Minister of Railways Mamata Banerjee said that these special trains will connect important historical and educational places in various parts of the country. These proposed Janam Bhoomi Gaurav trains will run on the following routes(related to this thread):
~ Howrah-Bolpur-Rajgir (Nalanda)-Pataliputra (Patna)-Varanasi (Sarnath)-Gaya-Howrah



Several State capitals will now have direct trains (Rajya Rani Express) connecting them to important cities/towns in those States. Presenting the Railway Budget for 2011-12 in the Lok Sabha today, the Minister of Railways Mamata Banerjee announced that ten such trains will be introduced in the ensuing Financial Year. These proposed new trains are(related to this thread):
~ Bankura-Howrah Express (tri-weekly)



To commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of Kavi Guru Rabindranath Tagore this year, the Minister of Railways Mamata Banerjee has announced the introduction of Kavi Guru Express Trains to pay homage to the great poet. Presenting the Railway Budget for 2011-12 in the Lok Sabha today, the Railway Minister said that Kavi Guru Express Trains will run on the following routes:
~ Howrah-Azimganj Express (daily) via Sagardighi
~ Howrah-Bolpur Express (daily)
~ Howrah-Porbander Express (weekly)



The Minister also announced that the new trains called “Vivek Express” will be introduced to mark the 150th birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda which will be celebrated in 2013. The first four such trains will be introduced on the following routes:
~ Howrah-Mangalore Express (weekly) via Palghat

The Railways have proposed to develop integrated suburban railway networks in large cities like Mumbai, bringing together suburban railway, metro railway and other rail infrastructure under a single integrated system. This will provide faster, efficient, affordable and comfortable transportation to the citizens. Stating this in the Railway Budget for 2011-12, the Minister of Railways, Mamata Banerjee, said here today that this concept will be introduced in those cities where suburban system exists, such as Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Kolkata and Chennai. She proposed to strengthen the suburban system of Hyderabad-Secunderabad by implementing six projects under MMTS Phase II.

In order to improve Kolkata’s suburban railway system, the Minister of Railways proposed to set up Kolkata Rail Vikas Corporation (KRVC) on the lines of Mumbai Rail Vikas Corporation (MRVC), which will raise funds through banks and other financial institutions, Municipal Corporation and other stakeholders. She said that similar corporations can be considered for congested suburban systems in other states.

Link: http://pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx

Extension of Existing Trains
~ Ajmer-Kishanganj Express to New Jalpaiguri (19601/19602)

Introduction of New Passenger Services
~ Siliguri-Dinhata Passenger (daily)

Following new DEMU services will be introduced:
~ Sealdah-Jangipur
~ New Jalpaiguri – Balurghat
~ Sealdah-Bhagwangola-Lalgola
~ Radhikapur-New Jalpaiguri
~ Krishnanagar-Behrampore Court

The following MEMU services will also be introduced:
~ Ranchi-Asansol
~ Midnapore-Jhargram
~ Jhargram-Purulia

The process of laying new railway lines will be further accelerated during 2011-12. The Minister of Railways, Mamata Banerjee, while presenting the Railway Budget for 2011-12 here today, expressed the confidence of exceeding a milestone of laying of 1,000 km of new lines during the year. She proposed to complete new lines sections covering 1,075 km during 2011-12. These sections are:
~Dumka-Shikaripara
~Bishnupur-Mahauri-Mashrakh
~New Mal Jn. To Changrabandha
~Ajimganj-Jiaganj
~Part of New Coochbehar-Golakganj
~Deshpran-Nandigram

The sections which have either been completed or will be completed during 2010-11 are as follows:
~ Maharajganj-Bishunpur Mahuari
~ Rampurhat-Pirargarhia
~ New Coochbehar-Golakganj
~ Matnasibpur-Masagram

Rather than adding new trains, new rail lines would be more useful. Here is the list for new lines in 2011-12 to be completed. I am trying decipher which one are in Bengal and making them bold. Somebody please help me out:

1. Admednagar-Narayandoh

2. Gokulnagar-Mayonapur

3. Dumka-Shikaripara

4. Biraul-Kusheshwarsthan

5. Koderma-Barhi-Hazaribagh-Mandu-Kuju

6. Runisaidpur-Jubbasani

7. Part of Talcher-Bimalgarh

8. Pandu Pindara-Bhaibwa

9. Bhind-Etawah

10. Bishnupur-Mahauri-Mashrakh

11. Bhatni-Chauria

12. New Mal Jn. To Changrabandha

13. Harmuti-Naharlagun

14. Namakkal-Karur

15. Angamalli-Kaladi

16. Raichur-Pandurangaswamy

17. Nossam-Banaganapalle

18. Devarakadra-Krishna

19. Kanivehalli-Chikmangalur

20. Hirisave-Shravanabelagola

21. Talpur-Arambagh

22. Banka-Karjhusa Halt

23. Ajimganj-Jiaganj

24. Part of Daniawan-Biharsharif

25. Part of Dhanawar-Giridih

26. Kosi Bridge

27. Morinda-Khamnano

28. Part of Udaipura-Mawai Fetehabad-Bah

29. Etawah-Mainpuri

30. Bathua Bazar-Panchdeori

31. Paniyahwa-Chhitauni

32. Part of New Coochbehar-Golakganj

33. Dausa-Deedwana

34. Walajah Road-Ranipet

35. Metpally-Armoor

36. Homnabad-Hallikhed

37. Banaganapalli-Nandyal

38. Deshpran-Nandigram

39. Sakrayapanta-Kanivehalli

40. Part of Lalitpur-Khajrao-Satna, Khajuraho-Mahoba & Rewa-Singraulli

To strengthen the suburban services in Kolkata area, 50 new services will
be introduced including from Howrah-Uluberia, Howrah-Midnapur, Howrah-
Kharagpur, Howrah-Singur, Howrah-Memari, Howrah-Barddhaman, Howrah-
Haripal-Tarakeswar, Howrah-Kolaghat, Howrah-Sarupnagar, Sealdah-
Canning/Jaynagar Majilpur, Sealdah-Kakdwip-Namkhana, Sealdah-Sonarpur,
Sealdah-Baruipur-Diamond Harbour, Sealdah-Barasat-Hasnabad, Sealdah-
Thakurnagar, Sealdah-Barasat-Bongaon, Sealdah-Naihati-Ranaghat-Gede,
Sealdah-Shantipur-Krishnanagar, Sealdah-Kalyani, Sealdah-Barrackpore,
Sealdah-Budge-Budge, Sealdah-Dankuni, Bongaon-Ranaghat-Shantipur,
Howrah-Seoraphuli-Bandel and Sealdah-Basirhat. It is proposed to introduce at
least two suburban services in each of the above sections.

106. It is also proposed to introduce running of peak time local to BBD Bagh
from Bongaon/Krishnanagar. Two non-stop trains between Bardhaman &
Howrah are also proposed.

Madam, Mumbai Rail Vikas Corporation (MRVC) has helped bring
enormous improvements in Mumbai’s suburban system. I now wish to bring
about a similar transformation to the suburban transport system of the other
megalopolis of the country, Kolkata. For a 100 km and more around Kolkata,
the lives of the people are inexorably linked with activities, trade and industry
of the city. There is a great need to upgrade the entire suburban system of
Kolkata with better, faster and more number of services including 15-car trains.
83. I am aware that such improvements need substantial finances. Railways
have limited resources. Therefore, I propose to set up Kolkata Rail Vikas
Corporation (KRVC) on the lines of MRVC, which will raise funds through
banks and other financial institutions, Municipal Corporation and other
stakeholders. I believe, this single measure will kick start Kolkata’s return to its
days of glory. Similar corporations can be considered for congested suburban
systems in other states.

50 new services and a SUV for integrating the suburban network in and around KOLKATA.......i think someone from IR is in this forum..as we were discussing this in the Kol metro thread..:cheers:

SUV????
Scorpio or Safari???:lol:

Yes, even m guessing so!!!...i think its Asish Mitra!!...but then we never mentioned about a link between Joka and MUK!
anyways MB has given this time "Chappar Faar Ke"!..:cheers:

SUV????
Scorpio or Safari???:lol:

:lol: I meant some NIGAM LTD by this...:)

anyways MB has given this time "Chappar Faar Ke"!..:cheers:

:cheers:

:lol: I meant some NIGAM LTD by this...:)


not one, infact many nigams and karkhanas!!!..:colgate:

:applause:KRVC is a great idea.Kolkata needed this very much.

Yes, even m guessing so!!!...i think its Asish Mitra

Yeah. Ashish seems to know a lot about IR. Wonder if he is just a fan of IR or works for IR. Anyway that is not important as long as he gives good information.

yeah he is hard to miss. his information is all over most of the railway threads :lol:

Except few stupid things like Howrah-Sealdah link or Some XYZ Plants in Singur and Nadigram(whf?:lol:) this is an impressive railway budget I must say. A seperate corporation for Kolkata suburban rail is very welcome.

I like how it gives importance to North East India. It should be countries first priority to connect north east india through good highways and railways.

Though the current financial condition of railway is pathetic and I still believe Kolkata metro will not do any good under IR. Kolkata metro should be an independent body like DMRC..

Anyway, best of luck to IR..

:cheers:

^^u forgot another State which has been given a priority this time also!!...J&K!!

Except few stupid things like Howrah-Sealdah link or Some XYZ Plants in Singur and Nadigram(whf?:lol:) this is an impressive railway budget I must say.

Was the Howrah - Sealdah link announced? I missed it..

And what's wrong with industrial development in Singur and Nandigram?? :dunno:

where is Gurudas Banerjee Halt?
http://img827.imageshack.us/img827/8619/ad0090612.png

http://img705.imageshack.us/img705/5648/ad0090710.png

http://img834.imageshack.us/img834/5542/ad0171206.png

Was the Howrah - Sealdah link announced? I missed it..

And what's wrong with industrial development in Singur and Nandigram?? :dunno:

Yes nothing wrong in industry in singur and nadi just like it was nothing wrong a car plant and chemical industry there. But personally I think this is just a vote gimik. And railway should start working in kachrapara and all pending factories they promoied than anything else..

where is Gurudas Banerjee Halt?

Sir Gurudas Banerjee Halt is between Bidhan Nagar and Park Circus. This link connects the Sealdah northern suburbs with the Sealdah southern suburbs.

where is Gurudas Banerjee Halt?


This station is between Park Circus & Ultadanga when the trains bypass Sealdah.When I last visited this station.it was in a very sorry state.Dunno about it now !!!

where is Gurudas Banerjee Halt?


It is just off Narkeldanga Main Road (not very far from phoolbagan).

I hope they make an underground pedestrian tunnel connecting the EW metro to this station so that people can make transfers to circular railway and other suburban links.

Catching the magic on suburban trains

Saikat Dasgupta | TNN

On board Barrackpore-Sealdah local: Last budget, this ride was a promise. A year later, to the hour, it’s for real — a spanking new green and ochre nine-coach train that has wiped out the last vestiges of an era of afternoon commuting misery in one of India’s fastest growing suburban sections.
This daily 30km joyride begins in Barrackpore at 3.44pm and ends in Sealdah around 4.30. From the first lurch, as it pulls out of the British-era cantonment, to its last heave on the tasseled tracks of Sealdah, the train seems tuned to the cadence of change. The time frame of the transition, or ‘trainsition’ if you like it, is a milestone in the Indian history of political promises — one year.
Hours after Mamata Banerjee made her third budget speech in UPA colours, TOI went back to ground zero to seek a performance appraisal from the ‘aam admi’. “See for yourself,” was the most common answer.
When promises flew into Bengal in swarms last year, few had expected the delivery rate to be as good. But amid criticism of a lopsided budget and bleeding the railways, Mamata took care (even at the cost of being called “selfish”) not to let her home projects derail. And it’s in the regular rather than the spectacular where her success lies.
“Look there,” says co-commuter Santosh Ghosh, pointing to a row of new water taps at Belgharia station. “I’ve been travelling on this route for two decades but have never seen proper drinking water facilities,” says the former professor, who now teaches photography. “It’s too early to judge Mamata but she deserves credit for restoring basic amenities. Even a year ago, we would cram into overcrowded trains, some would hang precariously on the doors.” On Thursday, both Ghosh and his camera found a seat, thanks to the Barrackpore local and a fleet of similar new suburban trains that have made commuting a pleasure.
A lot has changed in a year. In 2010, during a ride to Sealdah on the down Kalyani local on rail budget day, the stations had a dusty, worn look, announcement systems malfunctioned, the stink from toilets filled the air and the train arrived late. The experience was depressing. Thursday was enlightening.
At Barrackpore station, where the journey began, the sound of Manna Dey’s ‘ami jamini, tumi shoshi he’ wafted from the PA system, which now doubles as a round-the-clock radio channel. “It sets the mood,” says Roshni De, a firstyear MA student. “It started a couple of months after last year’s rail budget.”
As the train enters Dum Dum, she points to the brisk-paced construction work. The subway stairways have been broken down to build escalators and the platform looks much bigger. “They have lengthened it to accommodate 12-coach EMUs,” says Tanuja Roy, a 32-year-old IT professional. Tanuja is happy that she can finally coax her fiancé, who stays in Agarpara, out of a bus and into the local. “He’s from Mumbai, but balked at the state of our locals. Now, he’s ready to travel with me,” she says.
It’s the simple pleasures that Mamata seems to have returned to one of the biggest urban vote-banks in the state. As she read out her budget speech in Parliament on Thursday, unveiling ‘Vision 2020’, there was some anxiety among her cadres about its effect on ‘Mission 2011’. But when she pinch-hit criticism of her budget out of the House with Sehwagesque disdain and announced 50 new suburban train services for Kolkata besides a slew of new Metro routes, they were beaming again. “Didir jeet hobei (she’ll definitely win the polls),” says Mayukh Banerjee, a college student and a Chhatra Parishad activist, before getting down at Bidhan Nagar.
But it was in Sealdah that the fantasy bubble burst. The promise of turning it into a “world class” station has remained on paper. For all her suburban sops, Sealdah is still a model of chaos and mismanagement, and “a nightmare during peak hours”, according to Roshni. That, Mamata promised during her budget speech, will be over by next year. We’ll come back to see.

What Has Changed In A Year

• Platforms lengthened to accommodate 12-coach trains. Work nearly complete

• Music at all stations

• New drinking water facilities

• New announcement system and electronic displays

• New benches on platforms, new sheds

• Decades-old foot overbridges renovated

• Station buildings renovated at Belgharia and Dum Dum

• Matribhoomi (ladies special) trains on Krishnanagar, Bongaon, Baruipur lines

• Computerised reservation counters at important suburban stations

Dankuni terminal to ease travel woes

Jayanta Gupta | TNN

Kolkata: After a long wait, Kolkata is all set to get its fourth railway terminal. Well, not in the city exactly, but at Dankuni — about 20km away. Railway minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday announced a coaching terminal at Dankuni. To those not associated with the railways, it may sound strange but experts believe that the Railway Board has finally seen logic and stopped believing that a mega passenger terminal can be set up at Santragachhi or Majerhat.
“This could be one of the best announcements of this year’s budget. For years now, I have been trying to push forward the name of Dankuni as an ideal location for a passenger terminal. The railways have a lot of land there. Work has already started on a good road to connect the existing station premises with the National Highway. Given the location of Dankuni, people from both south and north Kolkata would benefit,” said Subhas Ranjan Thakur, former additional member, Railway Board.
Those getting off trains at Dankuni and travelling to south Kolkata can take the NH-2 up to the Kona Expressway, cross Vidyasagar Setu and reach Kolkata. The total travel time up to the Kolkata end of Vidyasagar Setu would be about 30 minutes. Those travelling to the north can take Vivekananda Setu to reach Dunlop and then move towards Shyambazar. They may also take the Nibedita Setu and the Belghoria Expressway to reach the airport of surrounding
areas. This would take theme barely 30 minutes.
Those who want to reach Howrah can take local trains from Dankuni. According to officials, the concept of modern-day terminals has changed. Most mega terminals are not situated close to the heart of the city as passengers are bound to suffer due to the congestion. Ideally, a terminal should come up at an area that has little congestion, which is well connected to the city, they said.
“The Railway Board had been contemplating setting up a terminal at Majerhat for long but the location is too crowded. It would also be too much of an ask to build a
bridge across the Hooghly between Howrah and Majerhat. A feasibility study had been conducted but engineers had pointed out that the gradient would be too steep even if the bridge from Sankrail were to be brought down near Budge Budge. Santragachhi also had its own problems. Though we started terminating trains there, it failed to take off as a mega terminal due to its location,” an official said.
Another major project for the state would be the connectivity from Kakdwip to Sagar Island. Mamata announced on Friday that survey for this project would be completed soon and work would be taken up in the 12th Five Year Plan. This connection would involve a mega bridge (more than 4km long) across the Muriganga and nearly 30km of railway tracks that would run crosswise across the island to a deep-draughted port facility near its south-eastern tip.
“The road-cum-rail mega bridge would cost nearly 700 crore. This is a precondition for setting up the port at Sagar. Since work on the port has already started, it can be assumed that the bridge and rail connectivity will get top priority. The port would be handling nearly 60 million tonnes of cargo that would move by rail and road to and from the mainland. It will be a win-win situation for the railways as well as the Kolkata Port Trust. The social impact of this project would also be immense,” the official said.
Sagar is one of the most underdeveloped parts of the state, that doesn’t even have electricity. The bridge would allow power lines to enter the island while the tracks and port would certainly lead to economic activity.

And railway should start working in kachrapara and all pending factories they promoied than anything else..

The railway projects at Kanchrapara and Dankuni are on track. The railway ministry has shortlisted eight companies for the Kanchrapara project after a global request for qualification.

Sources close to the development said financial bids for selecting joint venture partner for the Kanchrapara project are likely to be invited in April while the same for Dankuni could be on March 5. "The financial bid for Dankuni was supposed to be invited even earlier but it was delayed due to some reasons. Hopefully the ministry will call for bids in March," a railway official said.

Kanchrapara is a mega project with proposed investment of over `1,500 crore. Railways has proposed to manufacture EMU, mainline electrical multiple coaches (MEMU) and Metro coaches there. MEMU is used for inter-city trains. The ministry had shortlisted eight companies for the Kanchrapara project after a global request for qualification.

Global players such as Siemens of Germany, Bombardier of Canada, Alstom of France, Stadler of Switzerland, Hitachi and Kawasaki of Japan, Korea's Rotem Hyundai, ABB of Sweden and Spain's Caf have filed requests for qualification (RFQ) for the Kanchrapara project. All of them have a turnover of at least $10 billion (`50,000 crore). Siemens alone has a global turnover of close to $300 billion (`15 lakh crore). The Kolkata-based Titagarh Wagons Ltd (TWL) of J P Chowdhary, and Texmaco of the KK Birla Group had also filed RFQs in consortium with global partners.

TWL has tied up with Stadler and ABB, while Texmaco has formed a consortium with Kawasaki. TOI was the first to report that all the global biggies are in the fray for Kanchrapara. Sources said railways has set up a committee to finalise the terms of reference for Kanchrapara project. "It is being done in transparent manner. There has been three pre-financial bid meeting and the suggestions given by different bidders are being incorporated," added sources.

The Dankuni project is smaller in magnitude with proposed investment of less than Rs 200 crore. It will be an ancillary unit for Chittaranjan Locomotive. According to sources, Texmaco-Bombardier consortium and a host of global engineering giants like GE, Siemens and Alstom are likely to submit financial bids for the project. Indian engineering giant BHEL, too, is in the race for the Dankuni project.


Read more: Kanchrapara, Dankuni projects well on track - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata-/Kanchrapara-Dankuni-projects-well-on-track/articleshow/7583669.cms#ixzz1FE2WeoEP

Some positive news out there....this momentum should increase...hope to see a better Bengal in future !!!

This station is between Park Circus & Ultadanga when the trains bypass Sealdah.When I last visited this station.it was in a very sorry state.Dunno about it now !!!

It is just off Narkeldanga Main Road (not very far from phoolbagan).

I hope they make an underground pedestrian tunnel connecting the EW metro to this station so that people can make transfers to circular railway and other suburban links.

Sir Gurudas Banerjee Halt is between Bidhan Nagar and Park Circus. This link connects the Sealdah northern suburbs with the Sealdah southern suburbs.

Thankyou all for enlightening me with the location. :grouphug:

Dankuni terminal to ease travel woes

Jayanta Gupta | TNN

Kolkata: After a long wait, Kolkata is all set to get its fourth railway terminal. Well, not in the city exactly, but at Dankuni — about 20km away. Railway minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday announced a coaching terminal at Dankuni. To those not associated with the railways, it may sound strange but experts believe that the Railway Board has finally seen logic and stopped believing that a mega passenger terminal can be set up at Santragachhi or Majerhat..

I think, it will be fifth after Howrah, Sealdah, Shalimar and Kolkata(Chitpur)...

I think, it will be fifth after Howrah, Sealdah, Shalimar and Kolkata(Chitpur)...

Rightly said..it is fifth !!! They can also use Majherhat as terminal after Joka-BBD Bagh metro is operational. BTW, why Santragachi..it is a junction of two terminals,viz,Howrah & Shalimar..

^^Hey guys!......i'm working for smart transport option for Kolkata....i happened to get selected in a competition conducted by IIT roorkee, for smart transport options and my case study was kolkata....i now have to make a report and by 5th and present it on 11th in presence of the members of Planning Commision of India......i was hoping a bit help on your part.....if u guys could help me by lending me with any transport related (both proposed and actual) maps of Kolkat (any featured mode, metro....bus...sub-urban rail....,etc...as well as flyovers and highways...). plz ...it is urgent and i hope quick response from u guyz........

cc: TT

Calcutta’s busy suburban railway network, set to become busier with Mamata Banerjee proposing to introduce another 50 local trains, will be equipped with a safety device that will minimise chances of a crash.

The railway minister had in her budget speech on Friday announced the installation of the train protection warning system (TPWS) in the suburban network and an anti-collision device (ACD) on long-distance trains in the Eastern and South Eastern railways. It would take around two years for both systems to start functioning.

The TPWS, to be installed on the stretches that have multiple tracks, will ensure that trains run at the right speed and prevent overshooting of a red signal.

“The system, based on the European Rail Traffic Management System technology, triggers an automatic video and audio warning. If the train’s speed exceeds the limit by 5km per hour, the TWPS will automatically activate the brakes and bring the speed below the permissible limit,” a railway official explained.

“The system has been installed in Southern Railway’s Chennai-Gummudipundi section. Work on installing it in Calcutta’s suburban railway network will start this year,” a Railway Board member told Metro from Delhi.

Railway sources said the city’s suburban railway network is “extremely congested” with 2,000 local trains rolling out daily in the Howrah and Sealdah divisions to ferry more than 21 lakh passengers. In Eastern Railway, which runs around 1,400 local trains daily, the gap between two trains during the peak hour in the busiest sections vary between five and 10 minutes.

“Addition of more trains, as the minister has promised in the budget, means the cushion period will become even shorter. In such situations, the TPWS is a must to avoid mishaps resulting from human errors,” said an official.

The ACD, to be set up on long-distance trains, uses the satellite-based global positioning system and brings a train to a halt if the tracks ahead are not clear. The brakes are activated three kilometres ahead of a block or a danger on the tracks. The device works through GPS-based sensors set up on tracks, locomotives, level-crossing gates and stations.

The efficacy of the device, produced by the Konkan Railway Corporation, has been tested in a pilot project launched across 17,000km in the North East Frontier Railway at a cost of more than Rs 100 crore.

“It was commissioned in 2006 and was extremely successful,” said S.R. Thakur, a former additional member of the Railway Board. He was the additional general manager of the North East Frontier Railway when the pilot project was run.

Didi's sop story fails to impress Kolkatans

There should have been a general euphoria in West Bengal, and especially Kolkata, on Friday, when Mamata Banerjee presented the railway budget.

Eyeing the corridors of power in Writers' Building, the Railway Minister showered her blessings on West Bengal.

As many as 34 new metro services, 50 suburban train services, a software excellence centre, a trackmaking factory, a railway industrial park, a metro coach factory, 20 new express trains, a shelter for the homeless and a polytechnic made the railway budget a bag full of goodies. Mamata Banerjee's greatest political critic and the chairman of Left Front in West Bengal, Biman Bose, congratulated the railway minister for not increasing the passenger fare and freight charges even as the country is caught in a spiraling inflation.

Leading industrialists in the state felt that this year's railway budget would create an atmosphere for increased investment and employment- generation in the state. The dedicated freight corridor for movement of goods will expedite export; they felt. The industry captains also claimed that West Bengal would benefit from the 85 public- private partnership projects.

Mamata also announced the creation of a Kolkata Rail Vikas Corporation to make the city the nerve- centre of railway activities in the country. Several opposition MPs from different parts of the country made a hullabaloo over the Railway Minister's showering of sops on West Bengal.

But, how far will Didi's gifts be able to immediately ease the problems of the commuters in Kolkata? Now, Howrah and Sealdah, the two largest railway stations in eastern India, are chaotic to say the least. During peak hours, there is hardly space for the passengers to even breathe.

With the introduction of new trains in the last two rail budgets, there has been an acute problem of congestion along the tracks, and almost all the trains run late everyday. The late running of the trains causes great inconvenience to office- goers.

On December 29 last year, angry passengers ransacked a part of the Howrah Railway Station and beat up railway protection force officials. They had turned violent after a Howrah- bound Bandel local train was kept waiting a few kilometers outside the station for more than an hour. The angry passengers also ransacked the VIP lounge and the station master's room, smashed ticket counters and metal detectors. The damage to the railways' property was calculated to be in several lakhs.

A lot of regular passengers in suburban trains from Howrah said that the railway budget should have paid more attention to the improvement of infrastructure in the important railway stations in West Bengal than introducing new trains. More coaches should be added to the local trains to ferry the passengers comfortably.

Some passengers asserted that there is an immediate need to increase the number of platforms in Howrah and Sealdah to allow the passengers to travel freely.

During peak hours, the stations are so crowded that it takes more than 30 minutes to come out.

They also demanded that the railway ministry should immediately increase the number of railway tracks approaching Howrah and Sealdah. The local trains are mostly detained outside the busy stations to allow the important long- distance trains like Rajdhani and the Duronto Express to pass.

Many believe that the number of ticket counters should be increased. During peak hours, long queues in front of the counters make the passengers miss their trains.

The service of the Kolkata Metro is horrifying. The coaches are old, and are unable to ferry the growing number of passengers.

Last year, there were reports of technical snags in the network almost everyday. There is an immediate need to refurbish the existing network rather than look towards expanding it. At present, the Metro services are after seven minutes in peak hours and 15 minutes in off- peak hours. As a result, the coaches are overcrowded, and at times, the three- decade- old engines are even unable to pull.

Didi needs to understand that maintenance of the existing services of the railways is as important as the new projects for West Bengal. What's there in a service if it does not work? Business Today

http://i51.tinypic.com/b3rj9u.jpg

^^Hey guys!......i'm working for smart transport option for Kolkata....i happened to get selected in a competition conducted by IIT roorkee, for smart transport options and my case study was kolkata....i now have to make a report and by 5th and present it on 11th in presence of the members of Planning Commision of India......i was hoping a bit help on your part.....if u guys could help me by lending me with any transport related (both proposed and actual) maps of Kolkat (any featured mode, metro....bus...sub-urban rail....,etc...as well as flyovers and highways...). plz ...it is urgent and i hope quick response from u guyz........

Just go through the pages of skyscrapercity and I think you will find enough materials to make the report. There are lots of maps,pictures and news. But you have to take the pain for going thru all the pages with patience.
BTW,don't forget to share ur report with all the forummers here !!!

Just go through the pages of skyscrapercity and I think you will find enough materials to make the report. There are lots of maps,pictures and news. But you have to take the pain for going thru all the pages with patience.
BTW,don't forget to share ur report with all the forummers here !!!

sure.....i will share whn its all done.......n i do know that there are stuff in the threads...bt it would be really painstaking to go through them.....now....so i was hoping if u have things in handy then mail me at dasaritra007@gmail.com

Third rail is also not needed . The section if converted to metro can still run on Overhead AC lines like Delhi metro . This line will be independent of other lines .

It is very hard to imagine a Brazil, Turkey, China & Japan like civilized commuter in Kolkata, to maintain a clean metro service on current circular rail line, which runs one of the clumsy areas like Barhabazar & under Rabindra Setu.

Circular rail will be just like present suburban line. Stations are gradually developing, doubling is u/c, but it is not possible to convert it to metro line.

Rather than adding new trains, new rail lines would be more useful. Here is the list for new lines in 2011-12 to be completed. I am trying decipher which one are in Bengal and making them bold. Somebody please help me out:

2. Gokulnagar-Mayonapur

12. New Mal Jn. To Changrabandha

21. Talpur-Arambagh

23. Ajimganj-Jiaganj

32. Part of New Coochbehar-Golakganj

38. Deshpran-Nandigram

Only these lines are in WB.

Please note point 2 & 21 suburban lines (Tarakeshwar-Bishnupur) & 38 is also will be a suburban line. Since it is a thread about suburban rail, it will be best to not include non suburban lines.

Was the Howrah - Sealdah link announced? I missed it..

And what's wrong with industrial development in Singur and Nandigram?? :dunno:

Haorha - Shialdaha link was in survey on 2010 budget, but it is now cancelled.

GREAT EXTENSIONS OF THE KOLKATA SUBURBAN RAILWAY
(readers may be save the page/copy to wordpad for offline reading)

A very good development of the suburban railway is currently going. Here is a detail –
Note: This is the latest updated version, and tried to be correct almost 100 %. This updates are only around 150 Km. from Haorha & Shialdaha. A large portion has not included for non-suburban section.

Doubling/ Tripling / Quadrupling – (under construction)
• Khamargachi – Jirat OF KATWA LINE, PLANNED TO OPEN BEFORE JULY 2011.
• Nalikul – Tarakeshwar OF TARAKESHWAR LINE, PLANNED TO OPEN BEFORE JULY 2011.
• Kalinarayanpur – Krishnanagar OF KRISHNANAGAR LINE, PLANNED TO OPEN BEFORE JULY 2011.
• Kharhagpur – Panshkurha third line, PLANNED TO OPEN BEFORE JULY 2011 up to Balichak.
• Baruipur – Magrahat OF DIAMONDHARBOUR LINE, PLANNED TO OPEN BEFORE JULY 2011.

• Gokulpur-Medinipur OF MEDINIPUR LINE. PLANNED TO OPEN BEFORE JULY 2012.
• Tikiaparha-Santragachhi fourth line. PLANNED TO OPEN BEFORE JULY 2012.
• Jirat - Ambikakalna OF KATWA LINE, PLANNED TO OPEN BEFORE JULY 2012.
• Magrahat – Diamondharbour OF DIAMONDHARBOUR LINE, PLANNED TO OPEN BEFORE JULY 2012.
• Chandparha – Bangaon OF BANGAON LINE, PLANNED TO OPEN BEFORE JULY 2012.
• Dakshin Barasat – Lakshmikantapur OF NAMKHANA LINE, PLANNED TO OPEN BEFORE JULY 2012.
• Ghutiyari Sharif – Canning OF CANNING LINE, PLANNED TO OPEN BEFORE JULY 2012.

• Damdam-Baranagar third line
• Damdam-Princepghat-Majherhat.
• Bali-Dankuni third line
• Dankuni - Shakrigarh fourth line
• Bandel-Shaktigarh third line
• Naihati-Ranaghat third line
• Krishnanagar-Bethuadahari-Palashi OF PALASHI LINE.
• Ambikakalna-Nabadwip Dham OF KATWA LINE.
• Patuli-Katwa OF KATWA LINE.
• Kalinarayanpur-Shantipur OF SHANTIPUR LINE.
• Kharhgapur – Gokulpur OF MEDINIPUR LINE (new project announced)
• Basuliya-Tamluk OF HALDIA LINE.
• Sondalia-Champapukur of HASNABAD LINE.
• Tollyganj-New Alipur. OF BAJBAJ LINE.

Gauge Conversion - (under construction)
• Shantipur-Krishnanagar City. PLANNED TO OPEN BEFORE JULY 2011 with EMU train.
• Barddhaman-Katwa. PLANNED TO OPEN BEFORE JULY 2011 up to Balgona with DMU train.

• Krishnanagar – Nabadwip Ghat. PLANNED TO OPEN BEFORE JULY 2012 with EMU train.
Note: - Kolkata had the only NG suburban service of India.

New Rail Lines – (under construction)
 Masagram-Roynagar. PLANNED TO OPEN BEFORE JULY 2011 with DMU & Express train.

 Tarakeshwar-Bishnupur. PLANNED TO OPEN BEFORE JULY 2012 up to Arambag & Maynapur.
 Deshapran-Nandigram. PLANNED TO OPEN BEFORE JULY 2012 with EMU train.

 Tarakeshwar-Dhanekhali-Magra (in very fast pace, planned to complete in 2013) (52 Km.)
 Bajbaj-Pujali.(in fast pace, planned to complete in 2013)
 Namkhana-Bakkhali. (in very fast pace, planned to complete in 2013)
 Krishnanagar-Chartala. (in fast pace, planned to complete in 2013) (13 Km.)
 Bangaon-Bagda. (in very fast pace, planned to complete in 2013)
 Hasnabad-Hingalganj. (in fast pace, planned to complete in 2013) (14 Km.)
 Amta-Bagnan .(in fast pace, planned to complete in 2013)

 Dankuni-Furfura Sharif .(in very fast pace)
 Canning – Basanti - Gosaba. (in very fast pace)
 Jaynagar-Raydighi. (in very fast pace) (20 Km.)
 Machhalandapur-Swarupnagar. (in very fast pace)

 Remount Road – Santoshpur. (in fast pace)
 Barhgachhia-Tarakeshwar. (in fast pace)
 Nabadwipdghat-Nabadwipdham. (in fast pace) (10 Km.)
 Khana-Bowaichandi (in fast pace)
 Bowaichandi-Arambag (in fast pace) (31 Km.)
 Arambag-Ghatal (in fast pace)

 Panshkurha – Ghatal (new project announced) (33 Km.)
 Kakdwip – Budhakhali - Sagar - Kapilmuni. (new project announced)
 Kalikapur – Minakhan. (new project announced) (38 Km.)
 Joynagar – Durgapur. (new project announced) (32 Km.)
 Jangiparha – Furfura Sharif. (new project announced) (12 Km.)
 Arambag – Champadanga. (new project announced) (23 Km.)
 Baruiparha – Furfura Sharif – Arambag. (new project announced)
 Dainhat – Manteshwar - Negun – Memari. (new project announced) (70 Km.)
 Negun – Mangalkot (new project announced) (9 Km.)
 Krishnanagar – Chaprha. (new project announced)
 Bangaon – Porhamaheshtala (new project announced) (20 Km.)
 Arhanghata-Dattaphuliya. (new project announced) (10 Km.)
 Birha – Chakla (new project announced) (12 Km.)
 Pujali – Birshibpur. (new project announced) (10 Km.)
 Pujali – Bakhrahat - Gurudasnagar. (new project announced) (31 Km.)
 Sangrampur – Krishnachandrapur. (new project announced) (25 Km.)

 Bangaon-Kalyani. (survey complete)
 Hasnabad-Shamsernagar. (survey complete)
 Hasnabad-Pratapadityanagar. (survey complete)
 Kanthi-Belda. (survey complete)
 Kharhgapur-Dankuni. (survey complete)
 Singur – Deshapran. (survey complete)

 Hasnabad – Machhalandapur. (surveying)
 Bagnan – Shyampur. (surveying)
 Katwa – Karimganj (surveying)
 Nandakumar – Maina (surveying)
 Narayangarh – Belda via another route (surveying)
 Nandigram – Jellingham – Hijli Pirbaba (surveying)

After completing all lines – Kolkata will be the largest expanded suburban railway system of India.

More Projects are under construction –
1) EMU Carshed at Ranaghat.
2) Coach workshop at Noaparha.
3) Electric loco workshop at Dankuni.
4) Wagon workshop at Jellingham & Haldia.
5) DMU workshop at Sankrail. (Yes, it is still not died).
6) Development of Kharhgapur, Lilua & Kachraparha Workshop.
7) Remodelling of Padmapukur, Shalimar, Lilua, Tikiaparha, Shialdaha & Barddhaman Passenger Yard.
8) Remodelling of Sankrail, Dankuni, Naihati & Barddhaman Goods Yard.
9) Full electrification of Chitpur Yard.
10) Running 12 car EMU train on Barddhaman, Katwa, Ranaghat, Bangaon, Kalyani Simanta, Shantipur, Canning, Diamondharbour & Namkhana line.
11) Development of Tikiaparha, Haorha, Shialdaha, Barasat, Sonarpur & Bandel EMU Carshed.
12) Development of Haorha & Shialdaha diesel shed.
13) Development of Santragachhi electric shed.
14) Pedestrian Subway at Belgharia, Agarparha, Shodhpur, Naihati & Ranaghat.
15) Pedestrian Overbridge at Belgharia, Agarparha, Naihati, Ranaghat, Krishnanagar, Mathurapur Road, Gocharan, Joynagar & Majhdiha.
16) Escalator at Haorha.
17) A very long foot bridge with escalator from Platform 1 to 23 at Haorha.
18) New station building at Baliganj.
19) Underpass at Singur.
20) A new platform (9C) at Shialdaha.
21) Belurh – Belurh Math connecting line.
22) New Stations between Jadabpur & Baghajatin, Baghajatin & Garhia, Sir Gurudas Banerjee & Park circus and Ranaghat & Nabaraynagar.

5 more local trains have started running after last budget. Those are two Amta locals, two Panshkurha locals & for the first time, one Belda local.

By introducing Belda local, suburban network of SER has extended more. It was a decade old dream of me. Thank you SER. Now I dream to extend suburban service upto Jharhgram.

^^ Wonderful updates Ashis.. Thanks a ton! :cheers:

Since it is a thread about suburban rail, it will be best to not include non suburban lines.

We are aware of the fact that this thread is only for suburban trains....but there is no seperate thread to include other networks of WB.So, we can go ahead and report all lines of WB under this thread only. By this , we can know all the updates going around in WB.

BTW, gr8 updates Ashis. Its a treat to go through your updates !!! Two more requests from my side --- Please list all non-suburban lines also in this thread & secondly plz provide maps of suburban & non-suburban network In Bengal.

1 personal question -- are you a dedicated fan of IR or an employee of IR ????

After completing all lines – Kolkata will be the largest expanded suburban railway system of India.

Isn't it now also the largest in terms of expansion or is it that Mumbai tops the list ???

GREAT EXTENSIONS OF THE KOLKATA SUBURBAN RAILWAY
(readers may be save the page/copy to wordpad for offline reading)

A very good development of the suburban railway is currently going. Here is a detail –
Note: This is the latest updated version, and tried to be correct almost 100 %. This updates are only around 150 Km. from Haorha & Shialdaha. A large portion has not included for non-suburban section.

Doubling/ Tripling / Quadrupling – (under construction)
• Khamargachi – Jirat OF KATWA LINE, PLANNED TO OPEN BEFORE JULY 2011.
• Nalikul – Tarakeshwar OF TARAKESHWAR LINE, PLANNED TO OPEN BEFORE JULY 2011.
• Kalinarayanpur – Krishnanagar OF KRISHNANAGAR LINE, PLANNED TO OPEN BEFORE JULY 2011.
• Kharhagpur – Panshkurha third line, PLANNED TO OPEN BEFORE JULY 2011 up to Balichak.
• Baruipur – Magrahat OF DIAMONDHARBOUR LINE, PLANNED TO OPEN BEFORE JULY 2011.

• Gokulpur-Medinipur OF MEDINIPUR LINE. PLANNED TO OPEN BEFORE JULY 2012.
• Tikiaparha-Santragachhi fourth line. PLANNED TO OPEN BEFORE JULY 2012.
• Jirat - Ambikakalna OF KATWA LINE, PLANNED TO OPEN BEFORE JULY 2012.
• Magrahat – Diamondharbour OF DIAMONDHARBOUR LINE, PLANNED TO OPEN BEFORE JULY 2012.
• Chandparha – Bangaon OF BANGAON LINE, PLANNED TO OPEN BEFORE JULY 2012.
• Dakshin Barasat – Lakshmikantapur OF NAMKHANA LINE, PLANNED TO OPEN BEFORE JULY 2012.
• Ghutiyari Sharif – Canning OF CANNING LINE, PLANNED TO OPEN BEFORE JULY 2012.

• Damdam-Baranagar third line
• Damdam-Princepghat-Majherhat.
• Bali-Dankuni third line
• Dankuni - Shakrigarh fourth line
• Bandel-Shaktigarh third line
• Naihati-Ranaghat third line
• Krishnanagar-Bethuadahari-Palashi OF PALASHI LINE.
• Ambikakalna-Nabadwip Dham OF KATWA LINE.
• Patuli-Katwa OF KATWA LINE.
• Kalinarayanpur-Shantipur OF SHANTIPUR LINE.
• Kharhgapur – Gokulpur OF MEDINIPUR LINE (new project announced)
• Basuliya-Tamluk OF HALDIA LINE.
• Sondalia-Champapukur of HASNABAD LINE.
• Tollyganj-New Alipur. OF BAJBAJ LINE.

Gauge Conversion - (under construction)
• Shantipur-Krishnanagar City. PLANNED TO OPEN BEFORE JULY 2011 with EMU train.
• Barddhaman-Katwa. PLANNED TO OPEN BEFORE JULY 2011 up to Balgona with DMU train.

• Krishnanagar – Nabadwip Ghat. PLANNED TO OPEN BEFORE JULY 2012 with EMU train.
Note: - Kolkata had the only NG suburban service of India.

New Rail Lines – (under construction)
 Masagram-Roynagar. PLANNED TO OPEN BEFORE JULY 2011 with DMU & Express train.

 Tarakeshwar-Bishnupur. PLANNED TO OPEN BEFORE JULY 2012 up to Arambag & Maynapur.
 Deshapran-Nandigram. PLANNED TO OPEN BEFORE JULY 2012 with EMU train.

 Tarakeshwar-Dhanekhali-Magra (in very fast pace, planned to complete in 2013) (52 Km.)
 Bajbaj-Pujali.(in fast pace, planned to complete in 2013)
 Namkhana-Bakkhali. (in very fast pace, planned to complete in 2013)
 Krishnanagar-Chartala. (in fast pace, planned to complete in 2013) (13 Km.)
 Bangaon-Bagda. (in very fast pace, planned to complete in 2013)
 Hasnabad-Hingalganj. (in fast pace, planned to complete in 2013) (14 Km.)
 Amta-Bagnan .(in fast pace, planned to complete in 2013)

 Dankuni-Furfura Sharif .(in very fast pace)
 Canning – Basanti - Gosaba. (in very fast pace)
 Jaynagar-Raydighi. (in very fast pace) (20 Km.)
 Machhalandapur-Swarupnagar. (in very fast pace)

 Remount Road – Santoshpur. (in fast pace)
 Barhgachhia-Tarakeshwar. (in fast pace)
 Nabadwipdghat-Nabadwipdham. (in fast pace) (10 Km.)
 Khana-Bowaichandi (in fast pace)
 Bowaichandi-Arambag (in fast pace) (31 Km.)
 Arambag-Ghatal (in fast pace)

 Panshkurha – Ghatal (new project announced) (33 Km.)
 Kakdwip – Budhakhali - Sagar - Kapilmuni. (new project announced)
 Kalikapur – Minakhan. (new project announced) (38 Km.)
 Joynagar – Durgapur. (new project announced) (32 Km.)
 Jangiparha – Furfura Sharif. (new project announced) (12 Km.)
 Arambag – Champadanga. (new project announced) (23 Km.)
 Baruiparha – Furfura Sharif – Arambag. (new project announced)
 Dainhat – Manteshwar - Negun – Memari. (new project announced) (70 Km.)
 Negun – Mangalkot (new project announced) (9 Km.)
 Krishnanagar – Chaprha. (new project announced)
 Bangaon – Porhamaheshtala (new project announced) (20 Km.)
 Arhanghata-Dattaphuliya. (new project announced) (10 Km.)
 Birha – Chakla (new project announced) (12 Km.)
 Pujali – Birshibpur. (new project announced) (10 Km.)
 Pujali – Bakhrahat - Gurudasnagar. (new project announced) (31 Km.)
 Sangrampur – Krishnachandrapur. (new project announced) (25 Km.)

 Bangaon-Kalyani. (survey complete)
 Hasnabad-Shamsernagar. (survey complete)
 Hasnabad-Pratapadityanagar. (survey complete)
 Kanthi-Belda. (survey complete)
 Kharhgapur-Dankuni. (survey complete)
 Singur – Deshapran. (survey complete)

 Hasnabad – Machhalandapur. (surveying)
 Bagnan – Shyampur. (surveying)
 Katwa – Karimganj (surveying)
 Nandakumar – Maina (surveying)
 Narayangarh – Belda via another route (surveying)
 Nandigram – Jellingham – Hijli Pirbaba (surveying)

After completing all lines – Kolkata will be the largest expanded suburban railway system of India.

More Projects are under construction –
1) EMU Carshed at Ranaghat.
2) Coach workshop at Noaparha.
3) Electric loco workshop at Dankuni.
4) Wagon workshop at Jellingham & Haldia.
5) DMU workshop at Sankrail. (Yes, it is still not died).
6) Development of Kharhgapur, Lilua & Kachraparha Workshop.
7) Remodelling of Padmapukur, Shalimar, Lilua, Tikiaparha, Shialdaha & Barddhaman Passenger Yard.
8) Remodelling of Sankrail, Dankuni, Naihati & Barddhaman Goods Yard.
9) Full electrification of Chitpur Yard.
10) Running 12 car EMU train on Barddhaman, Katwa, Ranaghat, Bangaon, Kalyani Simanta, Shantipur, Canning, Diamondharbour & Namkhana line.
11) Development of Tikiaparha, Haorha, Shialdaha, Barasat, Sonarpur & Bandel EMU Carshed.
12) Development of Haorha & Shialdaha diesel shed.
13) Development of Santragachhi electric shed.
14) Pedestrian Subway at Belgharia, Agarparha, Shodhpur, Naihati & Ranaghat.
15) Pedestrian Overbridge at Belgharia, Agarparha, Naihati, Ranaghat, Krishnanagar, Mathurapur Road, Gocharan, Joynagar & Majhdiha.
16) Escalator at Haorha.
17) A very long foot bridge with escalator from Platform 1 to 23 at Haorha.
18) New station building at Baliganj.
19) Underpass at Singur.
20) A new platform (9C) at Shialdaha.
21) Belurh – Belurh Math connecting line.
22) New Stations between Jadabpur & Baghajatin, Baghajatin & Garhia, Sir Gurudas Banerjee & Park circus and Ranaghat & Nabaraynagar.

:applause:..thanks for the infos!...a small confusion: isn't Belur and Belur Math station same??...i mean the temple typo station opposite the math complex?...u missed out the Dankuni ROB and Park Plaza at Belur Math stn!

Also, if possible give us an updated list of the trains terminating and starting from all the four terminals of the city!

5 more local trains have started running after last budget. Those are two Amta locals, two Panshkurha locals & for the first time, one Belda local.

By introducing Belda local, suburban network of SER has extended more. It was a decade old dream of me. Thank you SER. Now I dream to extend suburban service upto Jharhgram.


OT: So u work in SER, btw is SER's HQ still in CKP or have they shifted to Kolkata?

I forgot add the following:
> When KRVC comes to form, they should look into the following things -
Make Skywalks/FOBs from platform 1 to the Bus Terminus in Howrah, terminal 2 to Ferry Ghat, for those who need to enter terminal 1 feels it difficult to enter the station, as if u go by bus u have to get down at the terminus, while in a taxi they would either drop at the start of the taxi stand or on the opposite flank, so it would be better if they could make one more Skywalks/FOBs, for entering T1!

I'm not an employee of IR, I'm just a railfan.

Belurh & Belurh Math station are different, which will be connected within 1 year.

SER's head quarter was always in Kolkata, there was a plan to shift it to Ranchi, but now canceled. Chakradharpur is a divsion of SER.

Next time I'll try to include non suburban lines of WB also in this thread.

GREAT EXTENSIONS OF THE KOLKATA SUBURBAN RAILWAY
(readers may be save the page/copy to wordpad for offline reading)

A very good development of the suburban railway is currently going. Here is a detail –
Note: This is the latest updated version, and tried to be correct almost 100 %. This updates are only around 150 Km. from Haorha & Shialdaha. A large portion has not included for non-suburban section.

Doubling/ Tripling / Quadrupling – (under construction)
• Khamargachi – Jirat OF KATWA LINE, PLANNED TO OPEN BEFORE JULY 2011.
• Nalikul – Tarakeshwar OF TARAKESHWAR LINE, PLANNED TO OPEN BEFORE JULY 2011.
• Kalinarayanpur – Krishnanagar OF KRISHNANAGAR LINE, PLANNED TO OPEN BEFORE JULY 2011.
• Kharhagpur – Panshkurha third line, PLANNED TO OPEN BEFORE JULY 2011 up to Balichak.
• Baruipur – Magrahat OF DIAMONDHARBOUR LINE, PLANNED TO OPEN BEFORE JULY 2011.

• Gokulpur-Medinipur OF MEDINIPUR LINE. PLANNED TO OPEN BEFORE JULY 2012.
• Tikiaparha-Santragachhi fourth line. PLANNED TO OPEN BEFORE JULY 2012.
• Jirat - Ambikakalna OF KATWA LINE, PLANNED TO OPEN BEFORE JULY 2012.
• Magrahat – Diamondharbour OF DIAMONDHARBOUR LINE, PLANNED TO OPEN BEFORE JULY 2012.
• Chandparha – Bangaon OF BANGAON LINE, PLANNED TO OPEN BEFORE JULY 2012.
• Dakshin Barasat – Lakshmikantapur OF NAMKHANA LINE, PLANNED TO OPEN BEFORE JULY 2012.
• Ghutiyari Sharif – Canning OF CANNING LINE, PLANNED TO OPEN BEFORE JULY 2012.

• Damdam-Baranagar third line
• Damdam-Princepghat-Majherhat.
• Bali-Dankuni third line
• Dankuni - Shakrigarh fourth line
• Bandel-Shaktigarh third line
• Naihati-Ranaghat third line
• Krishnanagar-Bethuadahari-Palashi OF PALASHI LINE.
• Ambikakalna-Nabadwip Dham OF KATWA LINE.
• Patuli-Katwa OF KATWA LINE.
• Kalinarayanpur-Shantipur OF SHANTIPUR LINE.
• Kharhgapur – Gokulpur OF MEDINIPUR LINE (new project announced)
• Basuliya-Tamluk OF HALDIA LINE.
• Sondalia-Champapukur of HASNABAD LINE.
• Tollyganj-New Alipur. OF BAJBAJ LINE.

Gauge Conversion - (under construction)
• Shantipur-Krishnanagar City. PLANNED TO OPEN BEFORE JULY 2011 with EMU train.
• Barddhaman-Katwa. PLANNED TO OPEN BEFORE JULY 2011 up to Balgona with DMU train.

• Krishnanagar – Nabadwip Ghat. PLANNED TO OPEN BEFORE JULY 2012 with EMU train.
Note: - Kolkata had the only NG suburban service of India.

New Rail Lines – (under construction)
 Masagram-Roynagar. PLANNED TO OPEN BEFORE JULY 2011 with DMU & Express train.

 Tarakeshwar-Bishnupur. PLANNED TO OPEN BEFORE JULY 2012 up to Arambag & Maynapur.
 Deshapran-Nandigram. PLANNED TO OPEN BEFORE JULY 2012 with EMU train.

 Tarakeshwar-Dhanekhali-Magra (in very fast pace, planned to complete in 2013) (52 Km.)
 Bajbaj-Pujali.(in fast pace, planned to complete in 2013)
 Namkhana-Bakkhali. (in very fast pace, planned to complete in 2013)
 Krishnanagar-Chartala. (in fast pace, planned to complete in 2013) (13 Km.)
 Bangaon-Bagda. (in very fast pace, planned to complete in 2013)
 Hasnabad-Hingalganj. (in fast pace, planned to complete in 2013) (14 Km.)
 Amta-Bagnan .(in fast pace, planned to complete in 2013)

 Dankuni-Furfura Sharif .(in very fast pace)
 Canning – Basanti - Gosaba. (in very fast pace)
 Jaynagar-Raydighi. (in very fast pace) (20 Km.)
 Machhalandapur-Swarupnagar. (in very fast pace)

 Remount Road – Santoshpur. (in fast pace)
 Barhgachhia-Tarakeshwar. (in fast pace)
 Nabadwipdghat-Nabadwipdham. (in fast pace) (10 Km.)
 Khana-Bowaichandi (in fast pace)
 Bowaichandi-Arambag (in fast pace) (31 Km.)
 Arambag-Ghatal (in fast pace)

 Panshkurha – Ghatal (new project announced) (33 Km.)
 Kakdwip – Budhakhali - Sagar - Kapilmuni. (new project announced)
 Kalikapur – Minakhan. (new project announced) (38 Km.)
 Joynagar – Durgapur. (new project announced) (32 Km.)
 Jangiparha – Furfura Sharif. (new project announced) (12 Km.)
 Arambag – Champadanga. (new project announced) (23 Km.)
 Baruiparha – Furfura Sharif – Arambag. (new project announced)
 Dainhat – Manteshwar - Negun – Memari. (new project announced) (70 Km.)
 Negun – Mangalkot (new project announced) (9 Km.)
 Krishnanagar – Chaprha. (new project announced)
 Bangaon – Porhamaheshtala (new project announced) (20 Km.)
 Arhanghata-Dattaphuliya. (new project announced) (10 Km.)
 Birha – Chakla (new project announced) (12 Km.)
 Pujali – Birshibpur. (new project announced) (10 Km.)
 Pujali – Bakhrahat - Gurudasnagar. (new project announced) (31 Km.)
 Sangrampur – Krishnachandrapur. (new project announced) (25 Km.)

 Bangaon-Kalyani. (survey complete)
 Hasnabad-Shamsernagar. (survey complete)
 Hasnabad-Pratapadityanagar. (survey complete)
 Kanthi-Belda. (survey complete)
 Kharhgapur-Dankuni. (survey complete)
 Singur – Deshapran. (survey complete)

 Hasnabad – Machhalandapur. (surveying)
 Bagnan – Shyampur. (surveying)
 Katwa – Karimganj (surveying)
 Nandakumar – Maina (surveying)
 Narayangarh – Belda via another route (surveying)
 Nandigram – Jellingham – Hijli Pirbaba (surveying)

After completing all lines – Kolkata will be the largest expanded suburban railway system of India.

More Projects are under construction –
1) EMU Carshed at Ranaghat.
2) Coach workshop at Noaparha.
3) Electric loco workshop at Dankuni.
4) Wagon workshop at Jellingham & Haldia.
5) DMU workshop at Sankrail. (Yes, it is still not died).
6) Development of Kharhgapur, Lilua & Kachraparha Workshop.
7) Remodelling of Padmapukur, Shalimar, Lilua, Tikiaparha, Shialdaha & Barddhaman Passenger Yard.
8) Remodelling of Sankrail, Dankuni, Naihati & Barddhaman Goods Yard.
9) Full electrification of Chitpur Yard.
10) Running 12 car EMU train on Barddhaman, Katwa, Ranaghat, Bangaon, Kalyani Simanta, Shantipur, Canning, Diamondharbour & Namkhana line.
11) Development of Tikiaparha, Haorha, Shialdaha, Barasat, Sonarpur & Bandel EMU Carshed.
12) Development of Haorha & Shialdaha diesel shed.
13) Development of Santragachhi electric shed.
14) Pedestrian Subway at Belgharia, Agarparha, Shodhpur, Naihati & Ranaghat.
15) Pedestrian Overbridge at Belgharia, Agarparha, Naihati, Ranaghat, Krishnanagar, Mathurapur Road, Gocharan, Joynagar & Majhdiha.
16) Escalator at Haorha.
17) A very long foot bridge with escalator from Platform 1 to 23 at Haorha.
18) New station building at Baliganj.
19) Underpass at Singur.
20) A new platform (9C) at Shialdaha.
21) Belurh – Belurh Math connecting line.
22) New Stations between Jadabpur & Baghajatin, Baghajatin & Garhia, Sir Gurudas Banerjee & Park circus and Ranaghat & Nabaraynagar.

5 more local trains have started running after last budget. Those are two Amta locals, two Panshkurha locals & for the first time, one Belda local.

By introducing Belda local, suburban network of SER has extended more. It was a decade old dream of me. Thank you SER. Now I dream to extend suburban service upto Jharhgram.


Thnx for your excellent information.

I think a station between Jadavpur and Baghajatin is absolutely unnecessary.

I think nationwide, the suburban transport services need to be integrated. The idea should be like this:
* Metro + Suburban railway + LRTS: JV company between state govt and rail ministry (City RVCs) and pvt. bodies on PPP mode
* Bus + Tram/Monorail: JV company between state govt and urban dev. ministry (City MTC) and pvt. bodies on PPP mode

Also, rail act should be modified for the following purposes:
* Railway Ministry should act as a overall body of control of railways, like TRAI and DoT in telecom (setting policies, maintenance standards, new trains, new lines, base fares, etc)
* Running of trains can be handed over to one PSU and many pvt companies, like Air India and other pvt. operators act in air space. This increases competition, and pvt. bodies come up with innovative solutions to reduce cost (we've seen this in telecom and airlines). So instead of increasing fares, we can talk about reducing fares in the future.
* Building and maintaining of lines can be done by new PPP JV companies (which can be created by forming the current zonal railways into corporations).
* The PSU rail company will run trains in non-profit areas, and can collect Interconnection charges from pvt. players for a period of 10 yrs, till pvt companies expand to start operating all over the country (like BSNL collected IUC from pvt telecom companies).

Anyone connected directly with MB, please share this idea with her. This will revolutionize railways, and make it better than anywhere in the world - much like our growth stories in telecom and airlines.

Once (and if, though we all know its inevitable) MB becomes CM, rail ministry should be handed to Partha Chatterjee, and he can contest from the LS seat that would be vacated by Mamata.

(PS: Being a Kolkatan, felt this is the appropriate place to post this idea. Sorry if any of you feel this is out of place.)

Would also like to hear from Ashish, considering his immense knowledge on Indian Railways.

I think nationwide, the suburban transport services need to be integrated. The idea should be like this:
* Metro + Suburban railway + LRTS: JV company between state govt and rail ministry (City RVCs) and pvt. bodies on PPP mode
* Bus + Tram/Monorail: JV company between state govt and urban dev. ministry (City MTC) and pvt. bodies on PPP mode

Also, rail act should be modified for the following purposes:
* Railway Ministry should act as a overall body of control of railways, like TRAI and DoT in telecom (setting policies, maintenance standards, new trains, new lines, base fares, etc)
* Running of trains can be handed over to one PSU and many pvt companies, like Air India and other pvt. operators act in air space. This increases competition, and pvt. bodies come up with innovative solutions to reduce cost (we've seen this in telecom and airlines). So instead of increasing fares, we can talk about reducing fares in the future.
* Building and maintaining of lines can be done by new PPP JV companies (which can be created by forming the current zonal railways into corporations).
* The PSU rail company will run trains in non-profit areas, and can collect Interconnection charges from pvt. players for a period of 10 yrs, till pvt companies expand to start operating all over the country (like BSNL collected IUC from pvt telecom companies).

Anyone connected directly with MB, please share this idea with her. This will revolutionize railways, and make it better than anywhere in the world - much like our growth stories in telecom and airlines.

Once (and if, though we all know its inevitable) MB becomes CM, rail ministry should be handed to Partha Chatterjee, and he can contest from the LS seat that would be vacated by Mamata.

(PS: Being a Kolkatan, felt this is the appropriate place to post this idea. Sorry if any of you feel this is out of place.)

Would also like to hear from Ashish, considering his immense knowledge on Indian Railways.

Ofcourse we need a lot of political will. But we must also remember that when Calcutta Telephones (and other govt. telephone organizations) were merged to form BSNL, it gave a lot of benefits to the employees. Only that we need to do it on a slightly larger scale for railways. And another thing, I am not talking of privatization of the current workforce. I am against that. But the immediate impact should be to modernize in the form of corporation.

Could we ever imagine in 2000 that the way telecom in India will change by 2010? Lets give the same chance to Railways.

PS: I know many people who quit BSNL/ITI to join pvt operators for far better paying jobs. So its not correct to think adding pvt. operators in railways will steal jobs of current employees. After all, pvt. players need experienced people, and the current lot are there in Railways only (however inefficient they may be). :nuts:

In last budget, new Swarupnagar local(s) announced. Do MoR means that Machhalandapur - Swarupnagar line will be opened before July 2012?

Two latest news –

http://img33.imageshack.us/img33/7039/haldialinedoubling.jpg
Source – Dainik Statesman
It shows Haldia line doubling is going very fast. This doubling is necessary for future wagon workshop & big port. I hope after doubling, at least more 5 pairs Haldia locals from Haorha/Shalimar should be introduced. Till now doubling has completed up to Tamluk. Tamluk is the D.H.Q of East Medinipur, but suburban trains are lacking very much from Haorha. Till now only 2 Haorha – Haldia locals, 1 Panshkurha – Haldia local & 1 Santragachhi – Digha passenger is running via Tamluk. At least 2 Tamluk locals from Haorha must be start as soon as possible.

http://img852.imageshack.us/img852/4031/rampurhatdumkajharkhand.jpg
Source – Anandabazar Patrika
TRANSLATION GIST: - The much awaited Rampurhat – Dumka line (66 Km.) is almost ready, but it is being incomplete near Kusumba (maternal uncle’s house of Mamata devi) approx 50 meters due to objection of CPI (M) & BJP by obstructing laying soil & tracks. For only these 50 meters, the line is unable to open by ER. Local farmers are wanting for level crossing/underpass, but due to extra height these are not possible at that point, although ER has constructed an underpass only 150 meters away, but farmers are still obstructing.

Just think after opening this line, many express trains can go directly from Rampurhat to Jasidihi via Dumka & Baidyanathdham!! A branch line between Dumka & Mandarhill is also under construction fur further through running and opening another line towards Kiul. Most foolish political parties are trying to gaining cheap popularity by those silly behaviors.

your knowledge about train routes just amazes me from time to time....:cheers:

Please can anyone give some ballpark figures for ridership of Kolkatta suburban trains?

Recently within one month, I’ve seen by my own eyes the following works.
1) Krishnanagar – Palashi doubling
2) Shantipur – Krishnanagar guage conversion with electrification.
3) Starting of new factory at Halishahar and Dankuni.
4) Masagram – Rainagar new line.
5) Kharhagpur – Panshkurha tripling

Around October 2010, when I was going to Bolpur to one of my lip-cut elder sister MUNUDIDI (SMRITIKANA ROY) by Shahid Express, I saw lying of soil of Masagram – Raynagar line was going. Some sleepers were also dumped. I hope now it has been completed and lying of track has started. The Rainagar – Matnasibpur section has already completed, and has checked by CRS. The complete track is planned to open at July 2011.

This line is an extension of Bankurha – Rainagar line, which has converted from NG to BG in 2008. So, completing the link, we can go directly Bankura much quickly than now. I also hope the proposed Haorha – Bankurha Rajyarani express will run by this line. Additionaly, many trains of Adra, Purulia & Santhaldihi can run via this line, in fact trains towards Ranchi & Chakradharpur.

I think Masagram – Rainagar line will be suburban, because after completion, the distance form Haorha / Shialdaha / Kolkata to Rainagar via Masagram will be around 100 Km or lower. But this section will not be electrified soon. May be DMU trains will run from Rainagar to Haorha / Shialdaha / Kolkata.

Thanks for the updates Ashis da !!! :cheers:
Do you have any figures for the queries of chennaidesi ??

IR need a railway minister like E.Shreedharan who will think about the railways not the votes.

On 7th March, I was traveling from Kolkata to Bangaon and I found out that the laying of double line up to Bangaon is almost over. Only a stretch of 1 km (approximately) near Bangaon station is yet to be completed. I think the construction will be over by year-end or even before that.

One of my friends, stay in Swarupnagar and he told me that the construction of Machlandapur- Swarupnagar line is going on at a very fast pace.

Yesterday I went to Ultadanga,when I was returning from ultadanga I saw that no. of illegal hwakers have increased in ultadanga's platform and station premises,but the railway authority is not taking any necessary steps to remove them,the station is looking very ill maintained and dirty due to this hwakers. :down::wallbash:

Yesterday I went to Ultadanga,when I was returning from ultadanga I saw that no. of illegal hwakers have increased in ultadanga's platform and station premises,but the railway authority is not taking any necessary steps to remove them,the station is looking very ill maintained and dirty due to this hwakers. :down::wallbash:

It is true that stations are not well maintained. In Jadavpur station, the platform is full of dirt and garbage, the outlets are overflowing.

Railway must run an awareness campaign to educate people how to maintain all these. And the authority must be more active.

The under construction Masagram-Rainagar Line
[http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4086/5195294164_dfaa0b454f_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/37330406@N07/5195294164/) the under construction line at masagram (http://www.flickr.com/photos/37330406@N07/5195294164/) by abhirupsen_haldia (http://www.flickr.com/people/37330406@N07/), on Flickr
Courtesy:abhirupsen_haldia

Ranaghat-Krishnanagar Doubling Work
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4129/5174723822_51b844c9ea_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/37330406@N07/5174723822/) Ranaghat-Krishnanagar Doubling work (http://www.flickr.com/photos/37330406@N07/5174723822/) by abhirupsen_haldia (http://www.flickr.com/people/37330406@N07/), on Flickr
Courtesy:abhirupsen_haldia

Shantipur-Krishnagar GC
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4144/5173983011_f654669cd1_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/37330406@N07/5173983011/) shantipur-Krishnagar GC (http://www.flickr.com/photos/37330406@N07/5173983011/) by abhirupsen_haldia (http://www.flickr.com/people/37330406@N07/), on Flickr
Courtesy:abhirupsen_haldia

Nawadwip ghat-Krishnanagar GC-near NH 34 crossing(abandond for GC)
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4130/5173983289_4258936bd7_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/37330406@N07/5173983289/) Nawadwip ghat-Krishnanagar GC-near NH 34 crossing (http://www.flickr.com/photos/37330406@N07/5173983289/) by abhirupsen_haldia (http://www.flickr.com/people/37330406@N07/), on Flickr
Courtesy:abhirupsen_haldia

Masagram-Matnasibpur line under constructionhttp://farm2.static.flickr.com/1113/5162279250_2ced2dfe35_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/37330406@N07/5162279250/) masagram-matnasibpur line under construction (http://www.flickr.com/photos/37330406@N07/5162279250/) by abhirupsen_haldia (http://www.flickr.com/people/37330406@N07/), on Flickrhttp://farm2.static.flickr.com/1338/5162266110_c0d6a442d8_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/37330406@N07/5162266110/) matnasibpur masagram rail-link (http://www.flickr.com/photos/37330406@N07/5162266110/) by abhirupsen_haldia (http://www.flickr.com/people/37330406@N07/), on Flickr
Courtesy:abhirupsen_haldia

Second line under construction approaching Kalinarayanpur
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1177/5102271193_34f78968cb_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/37330406@N07/5102271193/) second line under construction approaching Kalinarayanpur (http://www.flickr.com/photos/37330406@N07/5102271193/) by abhirupsen_haldia (http://www.flickr.com/people/37330406@N07/), on Flickr
Courtesy:abhirupsen_haldia

2nd bridge at Kalinarayanpur(compleated)
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4109/4992014707_ecfa3103f8_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/37330406@N07/4992014707/) 2nd bridge at Kalinarayan pur (http://www.flickr.com/photos/37330406@N07/4992014707/) by abhirupsen_haldia (http://www.flickr.com/people/37330406@N07/), on Flickr
Courtesy:abhirupsen_haldia

Magrahat and Deula doubling
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1057/4595265748_f8a15a5a9c_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/37330406@N07/4595265748/) between magrahat and deula (http://www.flickr.com/photos/37330406@N07/4595265748/) by abhirupsen_haldia (http://www.flickr.com/people/37330406@N07/), on Flickr
Courtesy:abhirupsen_haldia

Platform construction for doubling between Hotar and Magrahat
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3340/4594261413_cc0bab8e74_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/37330406@N07/4594261413/) platform construction (http://www.flickr.com/photos/37330406@N07/4594261413/) by abhirupsen_haldia (http://www.flickr.com/people/37330406@N07/), on Flickr
Courtesy:abhirupsen_haldia

BPR-Hotar doubling
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4014/4594259785_1930e6b4cf_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/37330406@N07/4594259785/) doubling ahead of Hotar stn (http://www.flickr.com/photos/37330406@N07/4594259785/) by abhirupsen_haldia (http://www.flickr.com/people/37330406@N07/), on Flickrhttp://farm5.static.flickr.com/4020/4594868604_b4bb163a2f_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/37330406@N07/4594868604/) beyond magrahat (http://www.flickr.com/photos/37330406@N07/4594868604/) by abhirupsen_haldia (http://www.flickr.com/people/37330406@N07/), on Flickrhttp://farm2.static.flickr.com/1246/4594864554_74beeb709b_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/37330406@N07/4594864554/) doubling beyond deula (http://www.flickr.com/photos/37330406@N07/4594864554/) by abhirupsen_haldia (http://www.flickr.com/people/37330406@N07/), on Flickrhttp://farm4.static.flickr.com/3413/4594241617_f709903968_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/37330406@N07/4594241617/) BPR-Hotar doubling (http://www.flickr.com/photos/37330406@N07/4594241617/) by abhirupsen_haldia (http://www.flickr.com/people/37330406@N07/), on Flickr
Courtesy:abhirupsen_haldia

bridge construction between dasnagar and tikiapara
[http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1221/4594841546_9411c8f0aa_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/37330406@N07/4594841546/) bridge construction (http://www.flickr.com/photos/37330406@N07/4594841546/) by abhirupsen_haldia (http://www.flickr.com/people/37330406@N07/), on Flickr
Courtesy:abhirupsen_haldia

4th line construction between ramrajatala and dasnagar
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1341/4594223325_c110544a4a_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/37330406@N07/4594223325/) src 4th line (http://www.flickr.com/photos/37330406@N07/4594223325/) by abhirupsen_haldia (http://www.flickr.com/people/37330406@N07/), on Flickr
Courtesy:abhirupsen_haldia

board showing doubling between magrahat and deula
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3315/4594212597_534a447ed7_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/37330406@N07/4594212597/) doubling (http://www.flickr.com/photos/37330406@N07/4594212597/) by abhirupsen_haldia (http://www.flickr.com/people/37330406@N07/), on Flickr
Courtesy:abhirupsen_haldia

A view of the upcoming rail-bridge between Azimganj Junction and Murshidabad(Jiagunj)
Status: Compleated
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5001/5234478536_93ff5ac0dc_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/34793104@N00/5234478536/) Bridge (http://www.flickr.com/photos/34793104@N00/5234478536/) by rahul_4640 (http://www.flickr.com/people/34793104@N00/), on Flickr
Courtesy:rahul_4640

:cheers: ^^ :banana: :cheers:

Courtsy:The Statesman

Left land owners stand in way of railway project
Asim Pramanik
BEHRAMPORE, 19 FEB: Following hiccups in land acquisition process for the approach track, connecting the Nasipur-Azimganj rail-bridge with Azimganj junction, the Rs 70 crore project of Indian Railways, now stands abandoned over the Bhagirathi river.
The construction of the bridge, viewed as a dream project for the people of Murshidabad, is almost complete. However, much headway hasn't been made in the construction of the approach track.
Administrative officials here said that landowners were not willing to “sacrifice” their lands under any circumstance ~ be it a rail-track or anything else. The plots that need to be acquired are located between Azimganj railway junction and the right bank of the Bhagirathi at Mahinagar area of Murshidabad-Jiaganj block. The “trouble zone” is around seven acres of land comprising half a kilometre stretch of the proposed approach track, officials said.
Locals said that most of the landowners, unwilling to part with their lands, belong to the ruling Left Front of which Forward Bloc holds a major strength in the area. Officials of the local administration have made several attempts to persuade the landholders to hand over their lands in lieu of adequate compensation but no effort was strong enough to bring the landowners into confidence.
Secretary of Railway Passengers Association, Mr AR Khan said: “We started the movement to realise our demands for a rail-bridge in the year 1995. Rail roko was organised at least 14 times in the past decade and the project got the nod of Indian Railways later with a token grant of Rs one lakh by the then railway minister, Miss Mamata Banerjee. The issue of land acquisition should be taken seriously so that the bridge can be opened soon for public use. We can’t see a multi-crore river bridge lying unused for long.”
Murshidabad district Trinamul Congress leadership alleged that the unwilling landowners were backed by the ruling party to create hurdles for development work initiated by Miss Mamata Banerjee.
SDO, Lalbagh, Mr Saikat Kumar Dutta said: “The issue of land acquisition was taken up with the Railway officials and the local MP of Murshidabad, Mr Mannan Hossain. I think we will be able to convince the landowners so that they give away their plots for development works.”
Some touts were in nexus with land department officials and this was a major hurdle in the way of land acquisition, it was learnt. Land officials, however, denied the allegation.
Again politics:wallbash:

Courtsy:The Statesman


Again politics:wallbash:

I hope the "intellectuals", journalists and people who weep for land losers are backing the land holders in this case irrespective of their political colours.

:lol:

Anyway, the railways should openly declare what compensation are they paying to the farmers. The compensation should include all the lofty suggested components of compensation (compensation at future market price + alternate land + railway job for one family member + monthly income adjusted for inflation for life for the land loser, one set of new clothes for each family member every two months, free 1000 sq foot house, all furnishings, food grains at Rs 2 per kg for life, membership in local swimming club, school and college fees for two children etc etc). I don't think then there will be much problem from the land owners.

I hope the "intellectuals", journalists and people who weep for land losers are backing the land holders in this case irrespective of their political colours.

:lol:

Anyway, the railways should openly declare what compensation are they paying to the farmers. The compensation should include all the lofty suggested components of compensation (compensation at future market price + alternate land + railway job for one family member + monthly income adjusted for inflation for life for the land loser, one set of new clothes for each family member every two months, free 1000 sq foot house, all furnishings, food grains at Rs 2 per kg for life, membership in local swimming club, school and college fees for two children etc etc). I don't think then there will be much problem from the land owners.

:lol::lol:
Basically MB has some fault in her announcements of compensation for the land givers,most of the chaos in land acquisition is creating for that.

Oh, what a great new lines photos!!!

Tarakeshwar will be a very busy junction before 2020. Currently there is frequent suburban rail service between Haorha & Tarakeshwar via Sheorhaphuli. From Tarakeshwar –
1) The present line is extending towards Bishnupur to connect with Kharhgapur – Bankurha – Adra line. At present if anyone wants to go Bishnupur, she/he must go via Kharhgapur using express or passenger trains, which means more distance, more cost, more time consuming. By completing the current extension, any body could go to Bishnupur directly via Tarakeshwar, Arambag, Kamarpukur & Jayrambati; all are important towns and pilgrimages. After completing the line, EMU trains will run from Haorha to Bishnupur, and also some new/existing express trains will serve this line. We can go much quicker to Bishnupur, Bankurha & Adra after completing this line. Note – another link is alredy near completion between Masagram & Raynagar for Bankurha. So after some years two links lines between ER & SER will be completed. I’ve visited up to Talpur (5 Km. from Tarakeshwar) yesteryear’s August, and saw soil lying towards Arambag has completed. Train service from Talpur to Arambag is planned to open in next year. On the other side EMU train is running from Bishnupur to Gokulnagar via Birsa Munda, which is in a thick jungle. This part is also extending and train service from Gokulnagar to Mainapur is planned to also open in next year. FOR QUICKLY COMPLETING, THIS BOTH SIDE CONSTRUCTION IS GOING. I think it will be completed around 2015. There will be some new Bishnupur locals and some extended Tarakeshwar locals to Bishnupur from Haorha, and some express trains also will run via this line.
2) Around 50 years ago, there was an NG line between Tarakeshwar & Tribeni via Dashghara, Dhanekhali & Magra. The Barddhaman chord line was still not built, and the said NG line was passing near the current Dhanekhali station with a homonymous station. It crossed Magra at present Magra station of Barddhaman main line, and was continued up to Tribeni. The Magra – Tribeni section was replaced by a BG goods line for Bandel Thermal Power Station, and the Tarakeshwar – Dhanekhali – Magra section was closed near 1955 due to huge loss making. It was run by now defunct Bengal Provincial Railway. Now this line has started reconstruction from 2010. After completing, we can travel by EMU trains not only from Tarakeshwar to Magra directly without changing at Sheorhaphuli, but also EMU trains could run from Bishnupur to Gurhap via Dhanekhali, Bishnupur to Pandua via Magra, and may express trains could run from BOLPUR to RANCHI via Barddhaman – Magra – Dhanekhali – Tarakeshwar – Bishnupur – Adra – Purulia – Muri. In last rail budget much money was allotted for this line, and we can expect for opening it around 2013.
3) Another line is constructing from Tarakeshwar to Barhgachhia via Champadanga. There was another NG line from Barhgachhia to Champadanga, was operated by Martin Railway, was closed near 1971. That portion is now under reopening, and it will extend up to Tarakeshwar. Just imagine, we can go then Barhgachhia via Tarakeshwar or vice versa from Haorha. Then some Tarakeshwar locals may be extended also up to Barhgachhia. We can also come to Tarakeshwar from Shalimar via EMU trains. It is also going fast.

JAY BABA TARAKNATH, BOM BOM TARAK BOM Best of luck to Tarakeshwar.

1) The present line is extending towards Bishnupur to connect with Kharhgapur – Bankurha – Adra line. At present if anyone wants to go Bishnupur, she/he must go via Kharhgapur using express or passenger trains, which means more distance, more cost, more time consuming. By completing the current extension, any body could go to Bishnupur directly via Tarakeshwar, Arambag, Kamarpukur & Jayrambati; all are important towns and pilgrimages. After completing the line, EMU trains will run from Haorha to Bishnupur, and also some new/existing express trains will serve this line. We can go much quicker to Bishnupur, Bankurha & Adra after completing this line. Note – another link is alredy near completion between Masagram & Raynagar for Bankurha. So after some years two links lines between ER & SER will be completed. I’ve visited up to Talpur (5 Km. from Tarakeshwar) yesteryear’s August, and saw soil lying towards Arambag has completed. Train service from Talpur to Arambag is planned to open in next year. On the other side EMU train is running from Bishnupur to Gokulnagar via Birsa Munda, which is in a thick jungle. This part is also extending and train service from Gokulnagar to Mainapur is planned to also open in next year. FOR QUICKLY COMPLETING, THIS BOTH SIDE CONSTRUCTION IS GOING. I think it will be completed around 2015. There will be some new Bishnupur locals and some extended Tarakeshwar locals to Bishnupur from Haorha, and some express trains also will run via this line.

This line was in demand for more than a decade now . If this line becomes functional , Bankura will have faster access from Kolkata with some important interchanges in between.


Around 50 years ago, there was an NG line between Tarakeshwar & Tribeni via Dashghara, Dhanekhali & Magra.It crossed Magra at present Magra station of Barddhaman main line, and was continued up to Tribeni. The Magra – Tribeni section was replaced by a BG goods line for Bandel Thermal Power Station

They can also improve the Magra-Tribeni section. By this a new circular route can be introduced -- Naihati-Bandel-Tribeni-Magra-Bandel-Naihati.

Oh, what a great new lines photos!!!

Tarakeshwar will be a very busy junction before 2020. Currently there is frequent suburban rail service between Haorha & Tarakeshwar via Sheorhaphuli. From Tarakeshwar –
1) The present line is extending towards Bishnupur to connect with Kharhgapur – Bankurha – Adra line. At present if anyone wants to go Bishnupur, she/he must go via Kharhgapur using express or passenger trains, which means more distance, more cost, more time consuming. By completing the current extension, any body could go to Bishnupur directly via Tarakeshwar, Arambag, Kamarpukur & Jayrambati; all are important towns and pilgrimages. After completing the line, EMU trains will run from Haorha to Bishnupur, and also some new/existing express trains will serve this line. We can go much quicker to Bishnupur, Bankurha & Adra after completing this line. Note – another link is alredy near completion between Masagram & Raynagar for Bankurha. So after some years two links lines between ER & SER will be completed. I’ve visited up to Talpur (5 Km. from Tarakeshwar) yesteryear’s August, and saw soil lying towards Arambag has completed. Train service from Talpur to Arambag is planned to open in next year. On the other side EMU train is running from Bishnupur to Gokulnagar via Birsa Munda, which is in a thick jungle. This part is also extending and train service from Gokulnagar to Mainapur is planned to also open in next year. FOR QUICKLY COMPLETING, THIS BOTH SIDE CONSTRUCTION IS GOING. I think it will be completed around 2015. There will be some new Bishnupur locals and some extended Tarakeshwar locals to Bishnupur from Haorha, and some express trains also will run via this line.
2) Around 50 years ago, there was an NG line between Tarakeshwar & Tribeni via Dashghara, Dhanekhali & Magra. The Barddhaman chord line was still not built, and the said NG line was passing near the current Dhanekhali station with a homonymous station. It crossed Magra at present Magra station of Barddhaman main line, and was continued up to Tribeni. The Magra – Tribeni section was replaced by a BG goods line for Bandel Thermal Power Station, and the Tarakeshwar – Dhanekhali – Magra section was closed near 1955 due to huge loss making. It was run by now defunct Bengal Provincial Railway. Now this line has started reconstruction from 2010. After completing, we can travel by EMU trains not only from Tarakeshwar to Magra directly without changing at Sheorhaphuli, but also EMU trains could run from Bishnupur to Gurhap via Dhanekhali, Bishnupur to Pandua via Magra, and may express trains could run from BOLPUR to RANCHI via Barddhaman – Magra – Dhanekhali – Tarakeshwar – Bishnupur – Adra – Purulia – Muri. In last rail budget much money was allotted for this line, and we can expect for opening it around 2013.
3) Another line is constructing from Tarakeshwar to Barhgachhia via Champadanga. There was another NG line from Barhgachhia to Champadanga, was operated by Martin Railway, was closed near 1971. That portion is now under reopening, and it will extend up to Tarakeshwar. Just imagine, we can go then Barhgachhia via Tarakeshwar or vice versa from Haorha. Then some Tarakeshwar locals may be extended also up to Barhgachhia. We can also come to Tarakeshwar from Shalimar via EMU trains. It is also going fast.

JAY BABA TARAKNATH, BOM BOM TARAK BOM Best of luck to Tarakeshwar.

Enjoy reading your post regarding the knowledgeable information u provide about rail network in and around kolkata & the adjoining districts.
Hats off to u.:)

photo copyright Kalyan Yasaswi (http://www.flickr.com/photos/blackwhiteandgrey/5540151886/)

http://img16.imageshack.us/img16/913/kalyanyasaawitrain.jpg (http://img16.imageshack.us/i/kalyanyasaawitrain.jpg/)

^^ nic pic .. Any idea what is the location ?

^^ nic pic .. Any idea what is the location ?

Seems to be Dhakuria lake location! Perhaps shot has been taken from Dhakuria rail over bridge, I guess.

Seems to be Dhakuria lake location! I guess.

Yes.

I still remember my birthplace damm well even after so many years!!

Thanks Sabya & Sun

The NG line from Barddhaman to Katwa is now under gauge conversion. After converting, it will be electrified also. Then it will create a very important link. EMU trains will serve this section, also some Barddhaman locals from Haorha/Shialdaha/Kolkata could be extended up to Katwa. Then we can go to Katwa not only via Nabadwip, but also via Barddhaman. Some express trains will also serve this line, like Shialdaha – Kamarkundu/Bandel – Barddhaman – Katwa – Azimganj and so on, in fact trains towards Patna & Gauhati.

The conversion up to Balgona from Barddhaman is expected to open at July 2011, and the rest later.

Katwa has another NG line towards Ahmedpur, and the survey of conversion of this line is now going.

From Dashghara, there was a branch line to Jamalpurganj.

Ther circular running like Bandel - Bagra - Tribeni - Bandel is not possible, becase of track layout. The present Magra station is the original station, which once also served by NG lines said before.

Howrah Station - platform parking

photo copyright Ganesh Kamath

http://img25.imageshack.us/img25/8648/howrahstationplatformpa.jpg (http://img25.imageshack.us/i/howrahstationplatformpa.jpg/)

Why is this open. Im guessing it is the other end of the station with the cars parked on the space in front. What do you mean by platform parking. Is there separate parking for few of the platforms :?

Source (http://www.livemint.com/2011/03/21134849/Japan-quake-to-delay-Titagarh.html)
Japan quake to delay Titagarh steel bridge JV

Mumbai: Indian wagonmaker Titagarh Wagons Ltd’s plans to set up a joint venture with a Japanese firm will take longer than expected due to the massive earthquake that rocked Japan earlier this month, a senior official said.

Titagarh has signed a memorandum of understanding with Japan’s Kawada Industries Inc to manufacture steel bridges in India. The two firms plan to make two-lane modular bridges with steel composite decking, according to Titagarh Wagons’ website.

“The JV would be subject to a preliminary study getting completed. That is underway. And now with the current situation in Japan things will be deferred to an extent as they will have a lot of rebuilding work in Japan,” Titagarh Wagons’ Vice Chairman Umesh Chowdhary told Reuters on Monday.

He did not give a timeline for the venture to become operational.

“The joint venture agreement has not yet been signed. It will take a little time”.

To take advantage of India’s increasing demand for metro coaches, Titagarh has teamed up with another Japanese metro coach maker to bid for such orders.

“We are in a consortium with a Japan firm and we will bid for tenders as and when they come up,” Chowdhary said. He declined to name the Japanese firm.

Indian Railways has earmarked an investment of $12.68 billion in 2011-12 for modernise its creaky infrastructure and expand capacity. It has proposed to set up two wagon units with private partners.

The Railways has estimated the total public-private partnership investment in India at Rs1,526 crore in 2011-12.

Titagarh, which gets the bulk of its revenues from the Indian Railways, expects a tender for 18,000 wagons to be published within the next one or two months, he said.

The firm has a capacity to make about 5,000 wagons annually. Its unit Cimmco is expected to make another 2,000 wagons in 2011-12.

Orders from the private sector have not yet seen an uptick he said.

“Private sector demand has not yet picked up but railway demand looks healthy,” he said.

Titagarh’s JV with US-based FreightCar America to make aluminium rail cars — lighter wagons with more pay load — for the local market is yet to start operations due to limited enthusiasm from the Railways, he said.

“The designing has been done, but the issue is that this was a new concept and until the concept picks up, it does not make sense to go into manufacturing.”

Kolkata-based Titagarh, which had acquired the assets of France’s IGF Industries- Arbel Fauvet Rail last July, is open to more such overseas acquisitions, but no deal has been finalised yet, he said.

At 1:16 p.m., Titagarh Wagons shares were down 1.12% at Rs308.85 in a choppy Mumbai market

^^it seems all the projects where Japanese company or bank had invested will get a setback, after the devastation in Japan!:|

Why is this open. Im guessing it is the other end of the station with the cars parked on the space in front. What do you mean by platform parking. Is there separate parking for few of the platforms :?


Basically there is a road between platforms 8 and 9 and I think another between 22 and 23. So you can drive your car through the station and park right next to the platforms. So picking up and dropping off passengers is easier especially if your train leaves from these platforms. At least it used to be like that. Regular users of Howrah station can confirm if it still is the case.

^^ Thanks :cheers:

^^ Thanks :cheers:

The roads are marked with yellow lines:

http://img684.imageshack.us/img684/5836/howrahstationparkingroa.jpg (http://img684.imageshack.us/i/howrahstationparkingroa.jpg/)

Wow. Thats a huge station. But the right side looks so unorganised

Basically there is a road between platforms 8 and 9 and I think another between 22 and 23. So you can drive your car through the station and park right next to the platforms. So picking up and dropping off passengers is easier especially if your train leaves from these platforms. At least it used to be like that. Regular users of Howrah station can confirm if it still is the case.

Yes, u r right!!...to be more precise, the road between 8 & 9 serves for terminal 1 parking, while the road between 22 & 23 serves for terminal 2 parking!!

However, there are two more parking spaces that are available, one is beside the Launch Ghat (Pier) of Howrah station (opp. rail niwas T2), and another is the enclosed area with tin covers just beside Pf-23! (This is solely used for cab parking!)

Wow. Thats a huge station. But the right side looks so unorganised

That is place from where you know u have entered howrah (famous for narrow and potholed roads!)

OT: the German car owners out here prefer to travel in ricks or auto, than to drive it on those roads!!

http://2.imimg.com/data2/RQ/VR/HTT-141/141_2011-01-30_27.jpg

I just want to know that this proposed link will be towards Sealdah or Krishnanagar?Can anyone give me this information?

If it is towards Krishnanagar than it will connect Krishnanagar,Shantipur,Ranaghat,Gede,Lalgola directly with Howrah.EMU services towards this destinations can be than also originate from Howrah as well as Sealdah.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1025/1287098286_9ef7a66b58_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/34793104@N00/1287098286/) IMG (http://www.flickr.com/photos/34793104@N00/1287098286/) by
Courtesy: Samit RoyChoudhury. & rahul_4640

^^nice find...:okay:

Very rare photo of timetable Samitbabu.

To showing acknowledgements to the protesters, SER is constructing a new line to Nandigram from Deshapran. The construction has started from early 2010, and is moving very very fast. Opening of this line is planned around June 2012.After that, we can go there from Haorha/Shalimar by EMU trains. New Nandigram locals will be introduced.

The electrification between Tamluk & Kanthi is going to complete, and is planned to opening EMU service up to Kanthi around July 2011.