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

It wasn't supposed to be that way. It's a huge bus terminus with bays. There are two main sections - one for Kolkata buses and another for Howrah buses. A third section (or is this a forced section by public demand?) is for through buses going from Kolkata to Howrah. They probably forgot the fourth section while planning and it is for through buses from Howrah to Kolkata. The third and fourth sections cause a lot of traffic jams because of offloading and picking up passengers. Also the bottlenecks at Burrabazar,one of the most chaotic parts of Kolkata, have a cascading effect [you can see the traffic jams]. THen there are political party backed illegal vendors and people even stop to do some shopping!

There is a big pedestrian subway system connecting the station and the bus bays.

As always there is a lack of proper enforcement of laws and the general public's disdain for following traffic rules usually creates more chaos than it really should.

There are some really falling apart hotels beyond the bus bays. The only nice building is a school. And to add to this is a dirty fish (?) market next to the flyover.

And then this is Howrah. The most useless politicians in West Bengal are probably from Howrah. The Howrah Development Authority and Howrah Municipal Corporation are two of the most inefficient agencies in the state. The police is also useless. Hawkers. vendors and traders rule the roost in this city. People have very little civic sense and dump garbage anywhere they please. Ten storey buildings have come up all over and they are all fire hazards and poorly built. The state government has also treated Howrah poorly ["step motherly treatment" - to borrow a term from the Left Front]. It is only in the last few years that some development work has happened. Maybe the next government will treat Howrah better.

The most useless politicians in West Bengal are probably from Howrah.

:lol:

^^ Thanks. The situation you mentioned is almost same across various junctions serving big cities in India. Stations and adjacent markets constructed long back and continuing the same way.

One thing I want to know is that does the "World-class" plans for the Howrah station include only the station development or the surrounding/areas and approach roads. And by bus terminus do you mean city bus terminus of Howrah/Kolkata or inter-city? Are there any plans for the construction of a mega bus terminus to accomodate all the four routes you mentioned?

you logically can't have a world class station without all that.
cosmetic changes alone don't do any good.
It would be foolish if the plans to improve the connectivity/reducing bottlenecks is not taken care of. chances are pretty bleak though. Even CWG could not take care of Paharganj side of New Delhi station. and its the countrys capital we are talking about.

^^ Old Delhi station area is much worse

^^ Thanks. The situation you mentioned is almost same across various junctions serving big cities in India. Stations and adjacent markets constructed long back and continuing the same way.

One thing I want to know is that does the "World-class" plans for the Howrah station include only the station development or the surrounding/areas and approach roads. And by bus terminus do you mean city bus terminus of Howrah/Kolkata or inter-city? Are there any plans for the construction of a mega bus terminus to accomodate all the four routes you mentioned?

I don't know what the plans for this "world class" station is. Have been hearing for some time but I haven't seen anything in public domain. They cannot have anything world class without having an integrated plan with the city. Plus I have my doubts about Indian Railways and Howrah authorities.

I think this is kind of the traffic flow in the area. Others feel free to correct it. I haven't heard of any mega bus construction plans. The area has a pedestrian subway system which connects the various bus bays and the Howrah Station and a lot of people do use it.

http://img339.imageshack.us/img339/2905/howrahbusterminus.jpg (http://img339.imageshack.us/i/howrahbusterminus.jpg/)

you logically can't have a world class station without all that.
cosmetic changes alone don't do any good.
It would be foolish if the plans to improve the connectivity/reducing bottlenecks is not taken care of. chances are pretty bleak though. Even CWG could not take care of Paharganj side of New Delhi station. and its the countrys capital we are talking about.

I think a lot of problems would be solved if people took real pride in their cities and didn't treat it just as a place to make money and not give back anything in return (for starters - simple civic sense - like don't break traffic rules, don't spit, don't urinate anywhere you please, dont push needlessly, don't dump trash everywhere).

If the EW Metro manages to connect Sealdah and Howrah and has enough frequencies, it will probably reduce a lot of traffic on the roads in this area.

I wonder if EW Metro will have a interchange point with Circular railway along the Hooghly stretch. That would also take off some of the crowds from the river lanuches.

I don't know what the plans for this "world class" station is. Have been hearing for some time but I haven't seen anything in public domain. They cannot have anything world class without having an integrated plan with the city. Plus I have my doubts about Indian Railways and Howrah authorities.


It will be Indian Railway kind of "world class"..

Thanks for the markings. Looks :nuts:. what about Sealdah station and its surroundings? Is it organised compared to Howrah. I think Chitpur station is modern and organised.

Sealdah traffic is much better than Howrah, as most of the burden is taken by the flyover, there's already a court complex, Hospital, East India's largest jewelery market, fish market and add to the new Big Bazaar, all these are opposite or max within 50m from the station, but still the traffic congestion is not in such a sorry state as it is in Howrah!!...Ofcourse, credit goes to the City traffic cops!

The Howrah Development Authority and Howrah Municipal Corporation are two of the most inefficient agencies in the state.
but still the traffic congestion is not in such a sorry state as it is in Howrah!!...Ofcourse, credit goes to the City traffic cops!
I understand Kolkata and Howrah have separate municipalities, KMC and HMC. Why not merge these two to form Greater Kolkata Municipal Corporation or something on similar lines, or does such an organisation already exist

I understand Kolkata and Howrah have separate municipalities, KMC and HMC. Why not merge these two to form Greater Kolkata Municipal Corporation or something on similar lines, or does such an organisation already exist

I guess there are pros and cons of too much decentralization. More municipal organizations mean more politicians can be kept busy with posts like Mayor, deputy mayor etc!

:lol:

There is no Greater Kolkata Municipal Corporation currently.

In 2001 census, Kolkata urban agglomeration had 99 units (municpal corporations, municipalities, outgrowth, cantonment boards and census town) and a population of 13.2 million.

There is a Kolkata Metropolitan Area (KMA) with KMDA as a planning body and it has 3 Municipal Corporations (Kolkata, Howrah, Chandannagar), 38 Municipalities and 24 Panchayat Samitis.

What I don't know is whether KMA area is greater than Kolkata UA area. Normally Kolkata UA should only have urban population, while looking at land usage pattern, KMA probably includes urban plus rural population.

Land Use Pattern- Kolkata Metropolitan Area
No.Land Use/Area in Sq. Km./ Per cent
1.Residential/421.4/31.21
2.Agricultural & Vacant Land / 611.8/45.32
3.Commercial & Industrial / 89.5/6.63
4.Parks & Open Space/12.1/0.89
5.Educational Activities/33.6/2.49
6.Transport Activities./73.6/5.45
7.Others including Recreational/108.0/8.01
Total: 1350.0/100.00


The problem with India census is that they give populations of cenus towns/units but do not give boundaries or areas (at least in public domain).

^^ When is the final result of Census?

^^ When is the final result of Census?

This year's (2011) preliminary census results will come at the end of March 2011. They (http://censusindia.gov.in/) are hoping to give out more detailed reports within 1.5 years.

^^ Thanks

This year's (2011) preliminary census results will come at the end of March 2011. They (http://censusindia.gov.in/) are hoping to give out more detailed reports within 1.5 years.

What takes them to give out detailed reports in 1.5 years!...i guess now data r just put in excel sheets and the result is taken!!!!...

Source (http://www.prokerala.com/news/articles/a210060.html)
Eastern Railway earning up 3.31 percent

Kolkata, March 21
The Eastern Railway (ER) has succeeded in increasing its earnings from passenger and freight traffic by 3.31 percent in the first 11 months of this fiscal as compared to the corresponding period in 2009-10.

"The ER has earned Rs.4,364.25 crore during the period from April 2010 to February 2011 as against Rs.4,224.50 crore earned during the period between April, 2009 and February, 2010. It is an increase of 3.31 percent in total earning this year in compare to previous year," said an statement.

The ER has earned Rs.2,876.28 crore from goods traffic, Rs.1,296.63 crore from passenger traffic, Rs.140.76 crore from other coaching and Rs.50.58 crore from sundry earning.

The ER carried 101.48 crore passengers from April 2010 to February 2011 as against 92.46 crore during the corresponding period in the previous year.

What takes them to give out detailed reports in 1.5 years!...i guess now data r just put in excel sheets and the result is taken!!!!...

Nope initially the provincial data will be out in Mar end or Apr but full data like literacy data etc will take some time to process. My understanding it is scanned using OCR technology and there will be close to 400 million sheets one per family to process. Last time in 2001 it took 3 years and govt says it will do it this time in about 1.5 years.

http://www.newsfromnadia.com/system/html/1912kalibridge-35cef164.jpg
Courtesy:News From Nadia

The bridge has been constructed for Ranaghat-Krishnanagar Doubling

How long has it been since its inaguration?

How long has it been since its inaguration?

Ya..they are trying to repair that..

Bajbaj line is currently extending towards Pujali. There is a plan to build a large rail station in Majherhat like Kolkata. For this future thinking, after extending to Pujali, this line will coross River Hugli, and will connect at Birshibpur with Haorha – Panshkurha line. There will be a large and high rail-cum-road bridge, which will be the most difficult part. In future, there will be another line from Pujali to Gurudasnagar via Bakhrahat. The extension towards pujali has started, and is planned to open in December 2013.

After the completion, some Bajbaj locals can be extended towards Birshibpur. We can go to Birshibpur from Shialdaha also. But the most interesting part is that if Majherhat terminal could build, many express trains towards Mumbai, Chennai & Bengaluru could be introduced from there to run via Kharhgapur. Then there will be no need for an Inhabitants of Behala area to go to Haorha / Shalimar for catching and express train for west/south India.

Currently, if anyone wishes to go from Bajbaj to Diamondharbour, he/she must change train at Baliganj. After completion the line via Bakhrahat, there will direct service from Bajbaj to Diamondharbour via Pujali & Bakhrahat. EMU trains will serve this line.

UPDATE: Guage conversion from Barddhaman to Balgona has been completed and test running is now going.

Bajbaj line is currently extending towards Pujali. There is a plan to build a large rail station in Majherhat like Kolkata. For this future thinking, after extending to Pujali, this line will coross River Hugli, and will connect at Birshibpur with Haorha – Panshkurha line. There will be a large and high rail-cum-road bridge, which will be the most difficult part. In future, there will be another line from Pujali to Gurudasnagar via Bakhrahat. The extension towards pujali has started, and is planned to open in December 2013.

After the completion, some Bajbaj locals can be extended towards Birshibpur. We can go to Birshibpur from Shialdaha also. But the most interesting part is that if Majherhat terminal could build, many express trains towards Mumbai, Chennai & Bengaluru could be introduced from there to run via Kharhgapur. Then there will be no need for an Inhabitants of Behala area to go to Haorha / Shalimar for catching and express train for west/south India.

Currently, if anyone wishes to go from Bajbaj to Diamondharbour, he/she must change train at Baliganj. After completion the line via Bakhrahat, there will direct service from Bajbaj to Diamondharbour via Pujali & Bakhrahat. EMU trains will serve this line.

UPDATE: Guage conversion from Barddhaman to Balgona has been completed and test running is now going.

Building a rail cum road bridge near Majerhat on Hoogly river is not so easy. It will interfere with Kolkata port shipping lanes. Rather RM could think of underground rail link under Hoogly river. A technologically difficult proposal but will not interfere with shipping lanes.

The bridge will not be built near Majherhat, it will be after Pujali crossing Bajbaj, only after completing the Pujali extension.The bridge will be very high like Vidyasagar Setu. The underground rail link is almost 50 years old proposal, but cancelled due to difficulty.

Krishnanagar is currently no doubt a big junction. Shialdaha – Palashi line runs through here. Two branches, one towards Shantipur is under gauge conversion, another branch towards Nabadwipghat will be conversed soon. Beside this, another new line is under construction towards Chartala. Perhaps it will diverse right after Krishnanagar. After completion, I think EMU service will start on this line. It is planned to open before December 2013.

Krishnanagar is currently no doubt a big junction. Shialdaha – Palashi line runs through here. Two branches, one towards Shantipur is under gauge conversion, another branch towards Nabadwipghat will be conversed soon. Beside this, another new line is under construction towards Chartala. Perhaps it will diverse right after Krishnanagar. After completion, I think EMU service will start on this line. It is planned to open before December 2013.

Also a railway bridge have been made in Jiaganj connecting the Lalgola line and Azimganj line(basically it was a restoration project),bridge work is completed,I have posted the pictures before in this thread
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.
Only few kilometers of line erecting is left(Due to some political prob. work was stopped:().

A direct link with Howrah via Bandel-Chuchhura line work will also start.Tender have been floated few months before
Tender
http://2.imimg.com/data2/RQ/VR/HTT-141/141_2011-01-30_27.jpg

The bridge will not be built near Majherhat, it will be after Pujali crossing Bajbaj, only after completing the Pujali extension.The bridge will be very high like Vidyasagar Setu. The underground rail link is almost 50 years old proposal, but cancelled due to difficulty.


Already money for the bridge have been allocated in the Railway Budget 2011.

Some people are claiming (we don't need to mention names)this as status of railway projects. How far is this true? I am sure some of it is not true.

1. 129 kms of new railway lines - [only 17 kms completed]
2. 40 kms of gauge conversion - [ 0 kms completed]
3. 81 kms doubling of tracks - [15 kms completed]
4. Azimganj - Murshidabad - [land not available, project incomplete]
5. Rampurhat - Pirgaria - [project incomplete]
6. Hasnabad - Hingalganj - [project not started. No land]
7. Tarakeswar - Mogra - [land issues, no progress]
8. Canning - Bhangankhali - [work not started]
9. Bongaon - Chandabazar - [no land; project cancelled]
10. Joynagar - Raidighi - [no land; project cancelled]
11. Namkhana - Chandranagar - [ no land yet]
12. Budge Budge - Pujali [ no land; project cancelled]
13. Arambag - Irpala - [no land; project cancelled]
14. Tarakeshwar - Dhanekhali - [no land]
15. Dhanekhali - Mogra [no land; project cancelled]
16. Dankuni Rail factory - [no land]
17. Kanchrapara Rail factory [land filling]
18. Sankaril Rail factory [no land; project cancelled]
19. Howrah Rabindra Museum [foundation stone laid; no funds]
20. Geetanjali Museum - [no funds]
21. Railway hospitals and schools - [no status]
22. Joka BBD Bag Metro [foundation stone laid; survey on]

Railway record achievements

http://pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx?relid=71390

Railways Surpass All Previous Records in Network Expansion During 2010-11
Highest Ever Achievement in Construction of New Railway Lines Since Independence

Indian Railways has made the highest ever achievement in construction of new line and doubling projects in the financial year 2010-11. Railways has achieved the progress of construction of 709 kilometres of new lines in the year 2010-11, against the annual average progress of 180 kilometres new lines since independence. The highest achievement in construction of new lines in one year has been 357 kilometres in the year 2008-09. Therefore, the progress of 709 kilometers in 2010-11 is almost four times the average achievement and double the highest annual progress achieved since independence.

The Railways could achieve this feat as it set very ambitious all time high target of 1000 kilometers of new lines in one year (2010-11), which was firs time ever a major jump in view of Railways’ limited resources. The ambitious target proved to be great motivation in achieving this record setting feat in new line construction.

In case of doubling projects also, the progress during 2010-11 has been 769 kilometres, which is the highest ever and almost three times the average annual progress of 260 kilometres of doubling achieved since independence. This is also more than the target fixed for the said fiscal. In case of gauge conversion, Railways completed 837 kilometres in 2010-11 which is again more than the target of 834 kilometres.

The overall achievement in construction of new lines, gauge conversion and doubling projects during 2010-11 has been 2315 kilometres, which is also the highest ever achieved in a year since independence.

Therefore, all previous records have been surpassed during 2010-11 in the area of network expansion.

In case of electrification of lines, Railways have completed 972 kilometres route during the year 2010-11 which is again more than the average annual target of electrification planned during the XI plan. In addition, approximately 254 kilometres of lines have been electrified as part of works of doubling, 3rd and 4th line and other traffic facilities.

What the press release doesn't clearly say is how much of this was backlog from all the previous years.

1. 129 kms of new railway lines - [only 17 kms completed]
I think True but may be it is more than 17 km but not too much
2. 40 kms of gauge conversion - [ 0 kms completed]
Absolutely wrong
3. 81 kms doubling of tracks - [15 kms completed]
I think True but may be it is more than 15 km but not too much
4. Azimganj - Murshidabad - [land not available, project incomplete]
True
5. Rampurhat - Pirgaria - [project incomplete]
True
6. Hasnabad - Hingalganj - [project not started. No land]
True
7. Tarakeswar - Mogra - [land issues, no progress]
True
8. Canning - Bhangankhali - [work not started]
True
9. Bongaon - Chandabazar - [no land; project cancelled]
There is some land problem,but project not cancelled yet
10. Joynagar - Raidighi - [no land; project cancelled]
There is some land problem,but project not cancelled yet
11. Namkhana - Chandranagar - [ no land yet]
There is some land problem
12. Budge Budge - Pujali [ no land; project cancelled]
Just announced project
13. Arambag - Irpala - [no land; project cancelled]
There is some land problem,but project not cancelled yet
14. Tarakeshwar - Dhanekhali - [no land]
True
15. Dhanekhali - Mogra [no land; project cancelled]
There is some land problem,but project not cancelled yet
16. Dankuni Rail factory - [no land]
Absolutely wrong
17. Kanchrapara Rail factory [land filling]
True
18. Sankaril Rail factory [no land; project cancelled]
No cancellation news from IR yet
19. Howrah Rabindra Museum [foundation stone laid; no funds]
Fund allocated
20. Geetanjali Museum - [no funds]
No info
21. Railway hospitals and schools - [no status]
True
22. Joka BBD Bag Metro [foundation stone laid; survey on]
Work in progress,but speed is to less

From where you got this infos SUN I :dunno:,but many of them are wrong or partially true.

Most of the land acquisition problem IR is facing now a days is due to MB's wrong poll facing land acquisition policies.:bash:

From where you got this infos SUN I :dunno:,but many of them are wrong or partially true.

Most of the land acquisition problem IR is facing now a days is due to MB's wrong poll facing land acquisition policies.:bash:

From a commie prachar madhyam. That's why I suspected that it was half truth. Both sides are in big business of half truths now a days. Fog of elections.

Like the claims of record railway track construction which comes out conveniently before elections. But doesn't specify how much of backlog from all the previous years was "completed" in 2010-2011.

:lol:

^^ We will get these kind of information at least for one more month.

From a commie prachar madhyam. That's why I suspected that it was half truth. Both sides are in big business of half truths now a days. Fog of elections.

Like the claims of record railway track construction which comes out conveniently before elections. But doesn't specify how much of backlog from all the previous years was "completed" in 2010-2011.

:lol:

I guessed that you have found it on the famous news paper GANASHAKTI :lol:

I guessed that you have found it on the famous news paper GANASHAKTI :lol:

And I found the other bit of news in the other famous newspaper of Bengal called Bartamaan although I later picked up an english version from PIB.

Bartamaan and Ganashakti are like the most untrustworthy newspapers in West Bengal. Anyway nobody wants to buy Ganashakti but I am always surprised that people pay money to read Bartamaan. One supposedly is for working class (typical left chatter) and the other one doesn't fear anyone but God (so right wingish). But both lie.

:lol:

Before 1971, there was an NG rail line from Haorha to Amta via Dasnagar & Barhgachhia, operated by Martin Light Railway, although that line doesn’t started from Haorha rail station. It started from just after the Chandmari Bridge (the arch bridge after Bankim Setu). The NG station was at the place of present multi-storied building just side of the bridge. There were 3 platforms. After quitting the station it follows the current one way road (Belilious Road?) just beside of the present BG lines, and continued behind Tikiaparha Big Bazar, then via Shanpur and following current road it came under present Dasnagar Rail Station. That time there was no Dasnagar BG station. Just passing under the BG line, it appears on then Dasnagar NG Jn, where it was divided in 2 branches. The straight line went to Shiakhala, and the line took left turn went to Barhgachhia. After that station it simply followed the present Amta Road just like a tram line. It passed under the present Amta BG line, although then that line was only a goods link line between Santragachhi & Dankuni. After reaching Barhgachhia, it was again divided. One branch went to Champadanga, another to Amta, following present Amta Road.

All 3 branches closed in 1971, due to heavy loss. Haorha station was destroyed and after a decade that building erected at that place. The direct stair link from Chandmari bridge to that station was closed, although it is still present and is still visible from a moving train. All 2 rail lines were ripped off, and fully converted to automobile roads.

When I visited to Domjurh some years ago, I saw former Makarhdaha station’s signboard is still standing beside the Amta Road, although I’m not sure that signboard is still present in 2011 or not. That place was still called Makarhdaha old station bazaar. Currently C-11 bus runs on the road. Old station is some distance away from the new BG station. Former Amta NG station has destroyed, and now there is BD office.

After closing the NG line in 1971, conversion to BG was announced in 1976. Finally first EMU train ran on BG line in 1984 up to Barhgachhia. The line reached Amta at last in December 2004.

The line is currently extending to Bagnan. After completing this line, there will be another alternate route between Haorha & Bagnan. Some Amta locals will be extended to Bagnan, and some new Bagnan locals may be introdusced. Who knows, may be some express trains could be run in Haorha – Santragachhi – Amta – Bagnan – Panshkurha and so on. It is planned to open before December 2013.

UPDATE: - 1 Medinipur local, 1 Ghatshila passenger & 1 Chittaranjan passenger was introduced within 2 days.

BY THE WAY, I NEVER HEARD THAT THERE WAS A RAIL LINE BEFORE BETWEEN JIAGANJ & AZIMGANJ. CAN ANYBODY POST HERE DETAILS? (IF IT IS CALLED RESTORATION PROJECT)

Before 1971, there was an NG rail line from Haorha to Amta via Dasnagar & Barhgachhia, operated by Martin Light Railway, although that line doesn’t started from Haorha rail station. It started from just after the Chandmari Bridge (the arch bridge after Bankim Setu). The NG station was at the place of present multi-storied building just side of the bridge. There were 3 platforms. After quitting the station it follows the current one way road (Belilious Road?) just beside of the present BG lines, and continued behind Tikiaparha Big Bazar, then via Shanpur and following current road it came under present Dasnagar Rail Station.

How do you know so much?

:cheers:

I have heard (from my grandmother) that the Martin Burn Railway used to go From Telkal Ghat to Howrah Maidan and then through Panchantala Road (it is kind of parallel to Belilious Road) to Kadamtala Road / station and onwards.

^^he's a train pankha!!!

BY THE WAY, I NEVER HEARD THAT THERE WAS A RAIL LINE BEFORE BETWEEN JIAGANJ & AZIMGANJ. CAN ANYBODY POST HERE DETAILS? (IF IT IS CALLED RESTORATION PROJECT)

Follow this 4 news
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/pranab-sure-to-win-but-not-without-hitches/455660/0

http://www.rediff.com/business/2001/feb/26spe3.htm

Go to doubling Para there you will find this"Considering the long standing demand of the people of Murshidabad and the need for development in this area, I am happy to announce that restoration work of Nasipur (Azimganj) - Jiaganj Railway line will be taken up during the year 2001-2002. Separately a survey work for construction of a bridge over Bhagirathi to connect these two will also be undertaken."

http://www.business-beacon.com/kommon/bin/sr.php?kall=wnv&repnum=4450&cmienvdt=20110304154739920

http://www.processregister.com/Azimganj-Jiaganj_Railwayline_Restoration/Project/pid3320.htm

Before 1971, there was an NG rail line from Haorha to Amta via Dasnagar & Barhgachhia, operated by Martin Light Railway, although that line doesn’t started from Haorha rail station. It started from just after the Chandmari Bridge (the arch bridge after Bankim Setu). The NG station was at the place of present multi-storied building just side of the bridge. There were 3 platforms. After quitting the station it follows the current one way road (Belilious Road?) just beside of the present BG lines, and continued behind Tikiaparha Big Bazar, then via Shanpur and following current road it came under present Dasnagar Rail Station. That time there was no Dasnagar BG station. Just passing under the BG line, it appears on then Dasnagar NG Jn, where it was divided in 2 branches. The straight line went to Shiakhala, and the line took left turn went to Barhgachhia. After that station it simply followed the present Amta Road just like a tram line. It passed under the present Amta BG line, although then that line was only a goods link line between Santragachhi & Dankuni. After reaching Barhgachhia, it was again divided. One branch went to Champadanga, another to Amta, following present Amta Road.

All 3 branches closed in 1971, due to heavy loss. Haorha station was destroyed and after a decade that building erected at that place. The direct stair link from Chandmari bridge to that station was closed, although it is still present and is still visible from a moving train. All 2 rail lines were ripped off, and fully converted to automobile roads.

When I visited to Domjurh some years ago, I saw former Makarhdaha station’s signboard is still standing beside the Amta Road, although I’m not sure that signboard is still present in 2011 or not. That place was still called Makarhdaha old station bazaar. Currently C-11 bus runs on the road. Old station is some distance away from the new BG station. Former Amta NG station has destroyed, and now there is BD office.

After closing the NG line in 1971, conversion to BG was announced in 1976. Finally first EMU train ran on BG line in 1984 up to Barhgachhia. The line reached Amta at last in December 2004.

The line is currently extending to Bagnan. After completing this line, there will be another alternate route between Haorha & Bagnan. Some Amta locals will be extended to Bagnan, and some new Bagnan locals may be introdusced. Who knows, may be some express trains could be run in Haorha – Santragachhi – Amta – Bagnan – Panshkurha and so on. It is planned to open before December 2013.

UPDATE: - 1 Medinipur local, 1 Ghatshila passenger & 1 Chittaranjan passenger was introduced within 2 days.

BY THE WAY, I NEVER HEARD THAT THERE WAS A RAIL LINE BEFORE BETWEEN JIAGANJ & AZIMGANJ. CAN ANYBODY POST HERE DETAILS? (IF IT IS CALLED RESTORATION PROJECT)

Thanks for the update , My father used to say that there was a narrow gauge line in Howrah , but we never found it where . Now I have found it. thanks

True, but not in black and white. Out of the 67 kilometers, only 50 meters are remaining and the rest of the track is laid.

Ironically, the 50 meters that have not been laid is in the Village Kusumba. What's the significance?

This village is Mamata's Mamabari :lol: ... Incredible.

The last time I knew about it, this has been sorted out. The issue was that the villagers wanted an underpass or level crossing and rail had objected that they had already built an underpass 150 meters away and the height of the tracks here is around 5 feet only which is not sufficient to build an underpass. Looks like rail has finally agreed to build an underpass here.

Source: Word-of-mouth - some of the best of my social connections is in Rampurhat where I have spent 19+ years of my life at one point of time.


[B]5. Rampurhat - Pirgaria - [project incomplete]

TMC Poll Pranks .. Posting here so that forummers can laugh it out ... :lol:

http://epaper.hindustantimes.com/Publications/HT/HD/2011/04/03/photographs/010/03_04_2011_010_017_001.jpg

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Kalighat Falta Railway (KFR) was one of four lines built in the early part of the 20th Century by McLeod & Company, a subsidiary of a London company of managing agents, McLeod Russell & Co. Ltd, to open up undeveloped parts of India, all of them in and around Kolkata. The running of the trains were managed by a company called the McLeod's Light Railways. This company also owned and managed the Ahmedpur-Katwa, Burdwan-Katwa and the Bankura Damodar Railway lines.

KFR was 26.95 miles (43.37 km) long, opened on 28 May 1917 from Gholeshapur in Behala to Falta and was extended a further 0.92 miles (1.48 km) to Majherhat on 7 May 1920. The lines used were a 2' 6" gauge railway track.

The KFR line was the first in India to use three brand new 2-6-2 side tank AK16 locomotives, built in November 1916 by WG Bagnall Ltd. of the Castle Engine Works at Stafford in England. They entered service with KFR in February, 1917. The 'AK' in the name stood for 'Ahmedpur-Katwa'. They were also known as the 'Delta Class' engines (since they were originally ordered by the Egyptian Delta Light Railways but were more successful in India) and they were very successful and a lot many were used in the following years till 1953 when the last order was placed. One of the 1916 built Bagnall locomotives has been preserved by the Phyllis Rampton Trust in the UK [1].

The Kalighat Falta line closed in 1957, some years after the independence of India, when the British owners, McLeod, folded up their operations in India, and the new Indian and West Bengal government thought it best to close down this stretch of railway tracks. The reclaimed land, from where the tracks used to be, has been used to construct a road - the James Long Sarani in Behala.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Barasat Basirhat Railway (BBR) was a 2 ft 6 in (762 mm) gauge railway line started by Martin & Co. in 1914 as part of their wide network of narrow gauge operations under the aegis of Martin's Light Railways. The line connected the two towns of Barasat and Basirhat near Calcutta (now Kolkata), in West Bengal, India.

The line was closed in 1955, after Indian independence (in 1947), when all such privately run lines were taken over by the government or were being closed.

But rather than suffer ignonimity and death, BBR got a fresh lease of life when Indian Railways placed the line under its Eastern Railways zone under Sealdah division and converted the route partly to broad gauge in 1962. Later on, this route was fully restored to 5 ft 6 in (1,676 mm) (Indian gauge) and local trains started plying the route.

Yes, there was a Railway connection in between Belgachhia(Calcutta) and Hasnabad(Taki)of the then Martin Company and unfortunately abolished in the year 1954. The name of the stations were like Baguiati, Narayanpur, Rajarhat, Langolpota, Kharibari,Aminpur, Beliaghata....Taki, Hasnabad etc. The Railway is no more but people didn't forget the station :RAJARHAT

TMC Poll Pranks .. Posting here so that forummers can laugh it out ... :lol:

http://epaper.hindustantimes.com/Publications/HT/HD/2011/04/03/photographs/010/03_04_2011_010_017_001.jpg

There dariwala painter is rejoicing over Jyoti Basu's deadbody in his paintings. Now they are trying to run over Buddhadeb Bhattacharya in a graffiti. I think our political parties have hit a new low in their tastes or maybe it shows their culture of violence. Anyway I have seen better artwork in grafittis.

There are no issue based debates among constituents; just shallow flattery. What kind of election process is this? Babus have to take a hard look at it.

A new line is under construction from Dankuni to Furfura Sharif. Another line to Furfura Sharif from Baruiparha has announced recently. So in future we can go there by both from haorha/Shialdaha/Kolkata and Barddhaman. Both lines will meet at Furfura Sharif. Fram that point it will be extended to Champadanga, where it will cross the current constructing Barhgachhia – Tarakeshwar line. After crossing it will be further extended towards Arambag, where it will meet with current constructing Tarakeshwar – Bishnupur line. A branch will be constructed from Furfura Sharif to Jangiparha.

So, it is clear that a dense rail network will be constructed here in future.
1) From Dankuni, we can go to Tarakeshwar directly via Champadanga.
2) From Dankuni, we can go to Arambag directly via Champadanga, or via Champadanga & Tarakeshwar.
3) From Dankuni, we can go to Jangiparha via Furfura Sharif.
4) From Baruiparha, we can go to Arambag via Champadanga.
5) From Santragachhi, we can go to Tarakeshwar directly via Champadanga.
6) From Santragachhi, we can go to Arambag directly via Champadanga, or via Champadanga & Tarakeshwar.
7) Some express trains could also run following Dankuni – Furfura Sharif – Champadanga – Arambag – Bishnnupur – Bankurha and so on.
8) Some express trains could also run following Santragachhi – Barhgachhia - Champadanga – Arambag – Bishnnupur – Bankurha and so on.
9) Some express trains could also run following Santragachhi – Barhgachhia - Champadanga – Tarakeshwar – Dhanekhali– Barddhaman - Durgapur and so on.
10) Many combinations of EMU train service will also be possible utilizing those roots.

CAN ANYBODY POST HERE SOME PHOTOS OF FORMER NG RAILS TO AMTA, FALTA, RAJARHAT, BASIRHAT, MAGRA???

Refreshing update that one...btw what is the status of Tarakeshwar - arambagh - bishnupur line ???

One project which hasn't moved much despite two foundation stone laying ceremonies in 2001 and 2009 is the Jubilee Bridge. Google Earth has updated the view to 2011. Was expecting some major changes after all the media talk of fund allocation and flood of development. Is ER facing funds crunch or are there some technical issues? Anyone knows what's going on?

2001 - foundation stone by Railway Minister

2005 - google earth view

http://img28.imageshack.us/img28/9596/jun2005naihati.jpg (http://img28.imageshack.us/i/jun2005naihati.jpg/)

2007 - google earth view

http://img830.imageshack.us/img830/3887/oct2007naihati.jpg (http://img830.imageshack.us/i/oct2007naihati.jpg/)

2009 - foundation stone by Railway Minister for superstructure

2009 - google earth view

http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/9287/oct2009naihati.jpg (http://img215.imageshack.us/i/oct2009naihati.jpg/)


2011 - google earth view

http://img846.imageshack.us/img846/663/jan2011naihati.jpg (http://img846.imageshack.us/i/jan2011naihati.jpg/)

CAN ANYBODY POST HERE SOME PHOTOS OF FORMER NG RAILS TO AMTA, FALTA, RAJARHAT, BASIRHAT, MAGRA???

It's difficult to get old photos. I am posting some 1972 photos of Calcutta in the cityscape thread when Kolkata was the leading city of India.

Dunno why ER is not giving importance to Jubilee Bridge. Its such an important link. Its important for timing synchronization between Howrah & Sealdah !!! :ohno:

BTW, what is the detailed plan for the superstructure ???

cc: TT

A langur bit and scratched at least three passengers at Howrah station on Thursday before disappearing by jumping onto the roof of a running car.

Forest department personnel armed with a tranquilliser gun and a net and panting Railway Protection Force (RPF) jawans, who had pursued the animal in vain for several hours, looked on helplessly as the car sped away, the driver oblivious to the passenger atop.

The primate’s first victim was 22-year-old Barun Mallick, who was waiting on platform 14 for a train to Midnapore that was to leave at 2.25am.

The langur caught Mallick unawares around 2.15am and scratched his right hand and face. He screamed for help but there was no one to rescue him.

The animal vanished as Mallick lay bleeding. Government Railway Police personnel arrived after some time and took him to Howrah District Hospital.

The langur was next spotted near the parcel shed, adjacent to the station, around 10.20am. “The RPF was put on vigil to ensure that it did not attack any other passenger,” said a railway official.

The catch-me-if-you-can game started around 12.30pm with the second attack, this time on a crowded platform.

Witnesses said the animal emerged all of a sudden and bit Shiekh Osman Ghani, a 30-year-old resident of Birbhum, in his face on platform 17. The other passengers on the platform ran away in panic.

“I was waiting for my train when there was a scream. I turned back to find a huge hanuman leaping away and a physically challenged man crying in pain,” said Pradip Sengupta, a resident of Kharagpur.

Within 15 minutes, the langur mauled two other passengers — Papu Mustafi, 21, and Raju Prasad, 25. All three were taken to the district hospital.

The railway authorities then called the district forest office for help, while RPF personnel, carrying sticks and batons, patrolled the platforms to ensure the langur was driven away if it came close to passengers.

Forest department officials, who arrived around 1.45pm with a cage, net and a tranquilliser gun, said the langur was an adult male, around three-and-a-half-feet tall with a five-foot-long tail.

All efforts to catch the animal, however, failed as the tranquilliser gun could not be fired at a station teeming with people.

“There were thousands of panic-stricken people and the target was always on the move. Tranquilliser shots could have easily hit passengers,” said Gautam Chakraborty, the district forest officer, Howrah.

Around 2.15 pm, the langur jumped onto the roof of a moving car on the road adjoining platform 9 and fled.

“It was funny and scary to see policemen chasing the animal as it ran across platforms and clambered up beams to climb the station shed whenever cornered,” said a passenger.

However, it jumped off the car on Bankim Setu and attacked a passerby. Imtiaz Ahmed (28) was bitten on his face and was seriously injured. He was rushed to the hospital and received stitches on the wound.

“The langur, in all likelihood, is part of one of the several herds of langurs found in Shibpur area,” said Chakraborty. “It was probably driven out from its herd by a dominant young male and so it became so aggressive,” he explained.

He said forest department personnel were keeping a vigil around Howrah station in case the langur returned.

No railway employee could remember another such incident in the crowded station. “Not in the past 20 years at least,” said a senior railway official.

A langur bite can lead to:

• Rabies

• Tetanus

• Infection leading to septicaemia

If bitten or scratched

• Clean the wound

• Take a tetanus toxoid dose within 24 hours

• Take an anti-rabies vaccine ideally within 72 hours

Refreshing update that one...btw what is the status of Tarakeshwar - arambagh - bishnupur line ???

Under construction very fast. Talpur - Arambag section and Gokulnagar - Maynapur section will be opened in 2012.

A new line is under construction between Remaount Road & Santoshpur via Gardenreach & Metiabruz. At present if someone wants to go Bajbaj from Princep Ghat, he/she must change train at Majherhat. The new line will connect with Bajbaj line, and Bajbaj locals can go directly to Binay Badal Dinesh Bag. It will be possible running EMU trains from Bajbaj to Barrackpur/Dankuni/Barasat via Santoshpur – Remount Road – Tala – Damdam.

Who knows, in future may be some express trains could run from Kolkata to Mumbai via Bagbazar – Remount Road – Santoshpur – Bajbaj – Pujali – Birshibpur – Bagnan & so on. Bajbaj – Pujali extension is under construction, and after that, this line will cross Hugli River & will be connected with Birshibpur.

Update: - COMMISSIONER OF RAILWAY SAFETY VISITED RECETLY ON RAYNAGAR – MATNASIBPUR & ANDAL – BARABANI – SITARAMPUR LINE. SO WE CAN HOPE THESE LINES WILL BE OPENED FOR PUBLIC AROUND JULY 2011.

Roughly 50 years ago, there was an NG rail line from Majherhat to Falta via New Alipur. It ran parallel with current BG line from Majherhat to New Alipur, then turned right and soon entered at Gholsapur. There is a big rail colony in Gholsapur, where was the former steam loco shed. Gholsapur rail station building is still present. Then it followed the present James Long Sarani up to Joka. Stations were Gholsapur, Shakherbazar, Pailan, Bhasa, Amtala & so on. Near Joka it met with Diamond Harbor road, and followed the road just line tram line. Finally it reached at Falta. I heard that Falta station has now demolished, but the buffer is still present.

Joka tram terminus is the southernmost tram terminus. It was made based on an old tram stock, the only such terminus in Kolkata. Earlier it was planned to extend the tram line to Diamond Harbor, but later rejected. Now there is a plan to extend the metro line up to Diamond Harbor, but still not finalized.

To linking between ER & SER, many lines are under construction or planned. After Masagram – Raynagar, Tarakeshwar – Bishnupur, Tarakeshwar – Barhgachhia, another very important link is now under construction. This line is starting from Khana of Barddhaman – Asansol line. From there it will meet with Bankurha – Raynagar line at Bowaichandi. Then it will continue aheading and meet with Tarakeshwar – Bishnupur line at Arambag. After that it will ahead again and finally it will come at Ghatal. In the latest budget, it was announced that line will move further and will connect at Panshkurha with Haorha – Kharhgapur line.

So, it is clear that a dense rail network will be constructed here in future.
1) From Khana, we can go to Bankurha directly via Bowaichandi.
2) From Khana, we can go to Bishnupur directly via Bowaichandi & Arambag.
3) From Khana, we can go to Panshkurha directly via Bowaichandi & Arambag.
4) From Masagram, we can go to Bishnupur directly via Bowaichandi & Arambag.
5) From Masagram, we can go to Panshkurha directly via Bowaichandi & Arambag.
6) From Tarakwshwar, we can go to Panshkurha directly via Arambag & Ghatal.
7) Some express trains could also run following Andal - Khana – Bowaichandi – Bankurha and so on.
8) Some express trains could also run following Andal - Khana – Bowaichandi – Arambag – Bishnupur - Bankurha and so on.
9) Some express trains could also run following Andal - Khana – Bowaichandi – Arambag – Ghatal – Panshkurha - Kharhgapur and so on.
10) Many combinations of EMU train service will also be possible utilizing those roots.

Note: - Khana – Bowaichandi line was planned since 2000, but work started only since early 2010.

Howrah Station video

ditqOt8YYGg

NDLS-HWH Rajdhani entering HWH, it got stuck at Howrah outer for a while, also see at the end how the coolie jumps in and gives the video an abrupt ending!

fNbISqHhnrw

Another important new rail line will be constructed linking Memari & Dainhat via Negun. After its completion, EMU service will be introduced up to Katwa via Memari. A link to Katwa via Barrrdhaman is already under construction, it will be second. Some express trains could be run following Haorha/Shialdaha – Memari – Dainhat – Katwa – Azimganj & so on.

A branch will be constructed from Negun to Mangalkot. Mangalkot is notorious for political violence. I hope, rail line could decrease it. One day we can go to Mangalkot by Mangalkot local EMU.

An escalator has been opened between old & new station building at Haorha.

^^ WOW would like to see a pic of this . Why was there no news in newspapers ?

^^ WOW would like to see a pic of this . Why was there no news in newspapers ?

All the journalists and photographers are doing "jolpona kolpona" about election results - who will get what, who will cut whom, who will deal with whom. Plus I guess there was no full page unprofessional looking Railway Advertisement with a photo of escalator surrounded by photos of Ministers, MPs and "Intellectuals" of a certain political clan. I miss those "All are welcome" (except Gautam Deb) advertisements.

:lol:...also there was no cultural event where Nachiketa would sing "We shall overcome", with Mb and Co..:lol:

BTW how long does it take for an escalator to come from announcement to reality?

Jan 2009 (http://www.rediff.com/money/2009/jan/20escalators-in-100-railway-stations-soon.htm) - announcement

July 2010 (http://www.tendersinfo.com/details-6716020.php): Tenders called

Dec 2010 (http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-12-07/kolkata/28264202_1_howrah-station-double-decker-train-railways) - Official Announcement by Honourable Union Minister by Railways

April 2011 - Opened as per Ashish.

Meanwhile I read a funny article where the usually lazy Railway officials, who have been kept busy by Didi, are now rejoicing because there are no more stone laying ceremonies. Who knows they are probably praying for her victory so that she can vacate the railway ministry and they can go back to the old lazy days.

GM to GM, railways celebrate poll timeout

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1110421/jsp/nation/story_13882878.jsp

^^In WB work culture will never improve...they will remain to be lazy bums...:laugh:...chahe koi kitna v "Khamataa" laga de!!

Santragachi RS platform

http://img545.imageshack.us/img545/8425/image1260.jpg

The entrance to Santragachi station, also this leads to the Station!

http://img851.imageshack.us/img851/8412/image1261.jpg

Another view of Santragachi RS

http://img692.imageshack.us/img692/2078/image1262.jpg

cool pics :cheers:

Chakla is an important pilgrimage of Loknath Baba. In this budget, a new line has announced to Chakla from Birha. After this, we can go to Chakla directy by Chakla EMU local from Shialdaha/Kolkata.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5044/5299626403_20c15cae89.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/49179721@N06/5299626403/)
Source:Shyamal Kant Chowdhury
http://mw2.google.com/mw-panoramio/photos/medium/47353880.jpg
CC:bhaski
Only the bad thing is that they(ER) have repainted the front cab..

The front face looks really ugly in this dual color combination.

^^ + 1. looks very bad :ohno:

It will be soon changed to traditional cream - green livery.

A NON SUBURBAN UPDATE:-

There was another rail line between Andal & Sitarampur, which passed via Barabani. The most popular line is via Asansol, but many forgot that line wrote before. Earlier there was only 1 pair of diesel loco hauled train, ran between Andal & Sitarampur daily. But that line had great loss, and nobody were sincere about that line except Mamata Bandopadhyay.

When she was rail minister in 1999 to 2001, she closed that line for thoroughly modernization, but nobody appreciated her. Ganashakti wrote in 2000 – “SATATAR PRATIK, TABUO MAMATAR AMALEI BANDHA HALA BARABANIR RAIL”. Which means “Sign of truth, still the Barabani’s rail line has closed in the reign of Mamata.

After those 8 years gone, there were 2 rail ministers from Bihar, but they naturally neglected that line, although the sufficient fund was allotted by Mamata in 2001, so the improvement was alive, but very slow. Even WB’s LF’s MPs were forgotten to improve and restarting train on this line during 2004 – 2009.

But Mamatadevi hasn’t forgotten. When she returned in Rail Bhawan in 2009, he promised that line will be alive again before July 2011. She kept her promise. This line has started MEMU train service from today, which is May Day 2011. This train will run from Andal to Jasidihi via Barabani & Sitarampur.

KI SHILADA, CHUP KENO?


NO REVENGE, ONLY CHANGE.

But Mamatadevi hasn’t forgotten. When she returned in Rail Bhawan in 2009, he promised that line will be alive again before July 2011. She kept her promise. This line has started MEMU train service from today, which is May Day 2011. This train will run from Andal to Jasidihi via Barabani & Sitarampur.

KI SHILADA, CHUP KENO?

Apparently many of Shila di's projects are still on paper.

http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Mamata-s-West-Bengal-projects-still-on-paper/781894/

BTW has she really brought in the one lakh crores of investments to state in less than two years she claimed in Star Ananda or is that all "proposed"?


NO REVENGE, ONLY CHANGE.

Change is happening all the time whether someone promises it in a slogan or not. As far as the revenge is concerned - the history till today doesn't support the claims - how many people have been killed till now by both sides?

Since you are campaigning for Jora Fool so openly here's a nice video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pr6fh5C0bLU)for you to think about. Please note that there are many like Kaju or Debayan who are pro jora phool or me who is against some hypocritical leaders. But none of us campaign openly in this section or post party slogans.

If you don't mind let's move the political part to Adda section.

^^ + 1. looks very bad :ohno:

They should make it like mvrc or maybe a blue-gold combination for Kolkata.

The green cream colour combination and the brown yellow combination need to be discarded.

^^ good update , thanks for sharing. is there any news clip to confirm the start of the memu train from Andal to Sitarampur.

Photos copyright Dibakar Dhar (http://www.panoramio.com/user/3851968)

Dum Dum

http://img820.imageshack.us/img820/1427/dumdumdibakardhar.jpg (http://img820.imageshack.us/i/dumdumdibakardhar.jpg/)

Bongaon

http://img43.imageshack.us/img43/6867/bongaondibakardhar.jpg (http://img43.imageshack.us/i/bongaondibakardhar.jpg/)

^^ good pics . How many platforms are there at Dumdum ? I would assume the middle 2 lines are for the non stop/outstation trains.

How many platforms are there at Dumdum ?
^^
There are 5 platforms(1,2,3,4,5).

.I would assume the middle 2 lines are for the non stop/outstation trains.
^^
Yes you are right,those lines are used for Mail/Express/Fright trains.

^^ thanks saurav

^^ thanks saurav

You r welcome...

Kolkata rail map
cc maps of india

Don't know how old it is

http://img6.imageshack.us/img6/6079/railmapcalcutta.gif

^^ good update , thanks for sharing. is there any news clip to confirm the start of the memu train from Andal to Sitarampur.

I'll go to Sitarampur by this reopened line around November.

THIS OLD MAP SHOWS PART OF NOW CLOSED GOODS LINE FROM AGARPARHA TO DAKSHINESHWAR.

MOTHER, MOTHERLAND, MANKIND

Please note that there are many like Kaju or Debayan who are pro jora phool or me who is against some hypocritical leaders. But none of us campaign openly in this section or post party slogans.

If you don't mind let's move the political part to Adda section.

:cheers:

http://epaper.hindustantimes.com/PUBLICATIONS/HT/HD/2011/05/05/Article//013/05_05_2011_013_005.jpg

Howrah - layout (Photo CC: Flickr)

http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/8130/hwhl.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/10/hwhl.jpg/)

^^ Thats very informative. Thanks for posting :cheers:

one heck of a find there rupakd :cheers:

Sun could you add this layout in the first post of this thread?

Wow, rupak, awesome find...:cheers: mate

There is some important road overbridges under construction –
1) Masagram
2) Nabadwip Dham
3) Santoshpur
4) Bagnan
5) Rangamati near Medinipur Town
6) Balichak
7) Town Road of Jharhgram
8) Uluberhia
9) Chandmari Bridge near Haorha Station and Varanasi Road Bridge near Lilua will be reconstructed.
10) Two lane overbridge of Bardhaman Town will be doubled, i.e. four lanes.

Good find rupakd .. thanks for posting :cheers:

http://mw2.google.com/mw-panoramio/photos/medium/51475655.jpg

Ahh, that is lovely. God bless Birbhum.

I did not like the color combination.

cGjYnRTOkSY

9Ti9w5Ryu84

http://mw2.google.com/mw-panoramio/photos/medium/51475655.jpg

Wow, it looks awesome, :okay:..the "world class" effect!!..:lol:

Farakka barage video is very nice. It seems barage is fully functional. I wanted to see a picture of the Farakka barage in India dam forum. So far no luck.

Found a map of kolkata suburban system : http://www.irfca.org/faq/faq-map-suburban.html#kolkata
Also, can anyone help me to know the total route length of suburban systems of Mumbai & Kolkata.

Old pics of AHMADPUR-KATWA NG Passenger :
http://www.irfca.org/gallery/Suburban/AhmadpurKatwaNG/IMG_0202_1.jpg.html

MOITREE TICKETS
Dedicated booth at Kolkata station

Dhaka, May 9 (bdnews24.com) — A separate ticket booth for Moitree train plying between Dhaka and Kolkata will be opened at the Kolkata rail station within a week.

"Since passengers face problems in booking tickets in Kolkata, it has been decided that a separate ticket booth will be opened…and Indians have assured that it will be opened within a week," Bangladesh Railway director general Tauhidul Anwar Chowdhury told the bdnews24.com.

The decision was taken at a meeting between the delegates of Bangladesh Railway and Indian Railways Board in Delhi from May 4 to 6.

"It was also decided that the travel time of Moitree train will be reduced by half an hour," he said adding, "After the time table is prepared, the new schedule will be introduced."

The meeting discussed infrastructure development to carry goods by railway from Agartala to Ganga Sagar at Brahmanbaria in Bangladesh, Anwar said.

The route distance between the two points would be 14 kilomteres and the alignment of railway tracks would be finalised by the two countries, he said.

India would bear the cost of the infrastructure and it would come as grant, he added.

"The Indian cargoes from Tripura will be carried to Chittagong port from Ganga Sagar," he said.

The issue of connectivity had been announced in the joint communiqué of prime minister Sheikh Hasina and Indian premier Manmohan Singh during her visit to India last year.

"Necessary infrastructure need to be in place to provide the service and it will take one and half years to develop the infrastructure," Anwar said.

The two governments will have to sign operational modalities agreement in this regard, he said.

Bangladesh in the meeting also proposed 'on board' customs and immigration to make the journey hassle-free and less time consuming, said an official of the communication ministry.

"It takes lots of time to complete customs and immigration formalities. But if it is on board, it will save at least two hours," he said adding, "India is considering the proposal."

"Many Bangladeshis visit various parts of India, and they face a lot of trouble in buying tickets in Kolkata," he said.

"We proposed to buy connecting Indian railway tickets from Dhaka, so that Bangladeshis do not face problems in buying them in Kolkata," he said.

http://www.bdnews24.com/details.php?id=195270&cid=2

Didi renews promise of rail link in Jangalmahal

The epicentre of the Maoist movement, Lalgarh, will be put on the railway map. So railway minister and Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee promised at an election rally in Midnapore on Thursday. The rail tracks will connect with Jhilimili and Kharta, where the rebels are active, to Bankura. Jhilimili and Mukutmanipur in Bankura were tourist spots but the Maoist movement has robbed these places of their attraction. A new railway link may boost tourism in the region.

In an election rally at Midnapore Town, Banerjee promised to lay down rail tracks to Lalgarh from Midnapore and right up to Bankura through Jhargram, Jhilimili, Mukutmanipur and Khatra.

In her speech, Banerjee also mentioned that she had already given new trains and set up a rail coach factory in West Midnapore and she promised to do more for the area.

TELEGRAPH (http://www.telegraphindia.com/1110511/jsp/calcutta/story_13967025.jsp#4)
Howrah-Azimganj Kaviguru Express

The Howrah-Azimganj Kaviguru Express has been running daily from this week. It leaves Howrah at 10.40pm and starts on the return journey at 7.40am. This train stops at Bandel, Burdwan, Bolpur, Ahmedpur, Sainthia, Rampurhat, Nalhati, Morgram and Sagardighi. The train has 12 coaches, including three sleeper-class and seven general compartments.

Howrah-Azimganj Kaviguru Express
The Howrah-Azimganj Kaviguru Express has been running daily from this week. It leaves Howrah at 10.40pm and starts on the return journey at 7.40am. This train stops at Bandel, Burdwan, Bolpur, Ahmedpur, Sainthia, Rampurhat, Nalhati, Morgram and Sagardighi. The train has 12 coaches, including three sleeper-class and seven general compartments.

So the budget promise was kept !!!:cheers:

CC Saugata Sengaupta

http://img221.imageshack.us/img221/3889/54597158799e137da1bfb.jpg

Platform at Kidderpur station facing Majerhat end

CC Saugata Sengaupta

http://img27.imageshack.us/img27/2892/54603252006d6ede8798b.jpg

Majerhat bound EMU departs Kidderpur.

CC Saugata Sengaupta

http://img3.imageshack.us/img3/6500/5460324660a9ecd91184b.jpg

Platform at Kidderpur station facing Dum Dum end. See the cranes of dock on the left.

CC Saugata Sengaupta

http://img811.imageshack.us/img811/951/545971378762ccb27233b.jpg

Kidderpur Circular Railway station.

CC Saugata Sengaupta

http://img600.imageshack.us/img600/4338/5459714865e1a9daefa4b.jpg

Kidderpur Circular Railway station.

A STORY OF FORMER HASNABAD LINE

May be many people today take Hasnabad local from Shialdaha/Kolkata to go to Barasat, Basirhat & Hasnabad within 2 hours with smooth EMU trains, but most don’t know the past history of this line.

Until 50 years before, this line was NG, and used completely separate alignment. It started just opposite of Belgachhia tram depot. The station was named as Shyambazar!!! After that it follows the Jashor Road, almost like a tram-line as right of the road up-to Shyamnagar, passing under the Patipukur double rail bridge. I saw a photo that an NG train is passing under the bridge.

From Shyamnagar, it turned right and followed the Shyamnagar Road and Chalpatti Road to come at Baguihati. The Baguihati Market & VIP Road was not then, and there was Baguihati Station. After that it followed Rajarhat Road and straight came upto Taki Road via Rajarhat & Patharghata. Then it again turned right to follow Taki Road and finally came at Hasnabad via Deganga & Basirhat.

It is clear that the former route was fully different than now.

There are very little remaining of that route.
1) The former place of Shyambazar station is now encroached by slums.
2) Many rail quarters are present in the place of former Patipukur NG station.
3) Rajarhat Station’s name is still present; the place is now converted to Bus Terminus.
4) Current BG line crosses the former NG line at one point.

I heard there was also a station at Deganga.

^^ Thanks for the information :cheers:

great info...would like to know where do you get all these infos from...or is it that you have a stock of all these infos, which you share with us in Easy weekly instalments...:cheers1: mate

X posted from SSC Kolkata Adda thread:

Rly minister's parting gift to state: More trains, lines

KOLKATA: The West Bengal chief minister-in-waiting won't spend her last couple of days as railways minister in idle contemplation. On Tuesday, Mamata Banerjee will attend a programme at Howrah station where foundation stones will be laid for 14 new projects and several new trains will be announced. The projects will cover zones under Eastern, South Eastern and Northeast Frontier Railways.

Officials believe that this could be Mamata's last programme as railways minister, at least for the time being. She announced in Delhi on Monday that she would put in her papers as railways minister on Thursday. There still remains considerable speculation on who her successor would be though. Tuesday's programme may throw some light on this.

The programme will be a sort of thanksgiving to people for voting her to power in West Bengal. Several of the projects are for North Bengal. During her visits to that part of the state in the last few months, Mamata had assured special attention if she received support from the people.

"Among the projects for North Bengal are doubling between Ambari Falakata-New Maynaguri and New Cooch Behar-Samuktala Road. New lines will also be announced between Chalsa-Naxalbari and Raiganj-Dalkhola. The other projects are under Eastern and South Eastern Railways. These will include new lines like Digha-Jaleswar, Bowaichandi-Arambag, third lines between Sainthia and Tarapith, Bandel and Bainchi, Pujali and Uluberia, Plassey and Jiaganj and Naihati and Jiaganj and doubling of the Gokulpur-Kharagpur and Nabadwipdham-Patuli sections," an official said.

Mamata has certainly not forgotten the barbs aimed at her by CPM leaders, including former chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, over her Duronto Expresses. On Tuesday, she will increase the frequency of the Howrah-Yeshvantpur Duronto Express from four to five days. This could be yet another reminder to the Left, not to criticise something just because it has been thought up by a political opponent. In the last couple of years, the Durontos launched by Mamata have become extremely popular.

The other trains that would be announced during the day are a Shalimar-Vishakapatnam Weekly Express, a Jhargram-Dhanbad MEMU, a Howrah-Uluberia EMU and a Howrah-Bandel local. Mamata has realised by now that even small things make a lot of difference. Local trains may mean little to the urban population, but an additional service can provide a lot of comfort to suburban or rural residents.

"In keeping with her promise for development of the region, she will inaugurate the new line between Rainagar and Matnasibpur and extend the existing passenger service between Bankura and Rainagar to Matnasibpur. She is clearly using the opportunity to tell the people that development continues to remain a priority for her," the official said.

http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/9789/ad0160024.png

cc: Star Ananda

Mamata Banerjee today while inaugurating the various Railway projects mentioned that most probably Railway would remain with TMC. According to her State and railway will gallop together!

150 more trains are waiting to be inaugurated by the future RM.

Some project progress reports given by ex-RM:

Satyajit Ray Indoor Stadium (WIP)
Tapan Roy multispeciality hospital (Ph-1 complete)
A nursing clge in Garden Reach (WIP)
A zonal HQ for Metro Railways (Commissioned)
Sealdah new DRM office (Commisioned)

She also today laid the foundation stone of a museum in HWH, cant recall whom its been named after!

i hate to say this but she had reached the crescendo in terms of projects/trains/museums/head quarters for her own state. no wonder people from other places are pissed off.

seems like nothing's gonna change at least till 2014!!

i hate to say this but she had reached the crescendo in terms of projects/trains/museums/head quarters for her own state. no wonder people from other places are pissed off.

^^i agree. And Mukul (arrogant) Roy, probable TMC RM candidate will do the same till 2014. Still no progress on the modernization projects of the major stations.

Finally i remembered the name of the museum...:lol:...its Rabindra Museum, also work on Gitanjali Museum, in Bolpur is underway...Again claimed by MB!!

:lol:i hate to say this but she had reached the crescendo in terms of projects/trains/museums/head quarters for her own state. no wonder people from other places are pissed off.

People of other states should support this. After all people of West Bengal need to be rewarded to the maximum extent possible for throwing out the anti national, dictorial, evil eyed commies.

Centre or Businesses Khush hua. So now it is time for them to not just show but hand over all the money to the poor oppressed people of Bengal.

:lol:

:lol:

in the international threads I cant believe people are so happy that the communist govt has been thrown out of power and a new "democratic" govt has taken over.

intl forum, kaha pe...link vejio...

Skybar - the refuge of all the jobless people on the forum :lol:

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=1379803

:lol:

photo copyright runabhijit

http://img854.imageshack.us/img854/5069/kolkatatrainrunabahijit.jpg (http://img854.imageshack.us/i/kolkatatrainrunabahijit.jpg/)

great info...would like to know where do you get all these infos from...or is it that you have a stock of all these infos, which you share with us in Easy weekly instalments...:cheers1: mate

From childhood, reading articles, & infinite curiosity

One Step Ahead:-
Raynagar line has come nearer to Haorha/Shialdaha/Kolkata by 1 station as Mathnasipur from today. Mathnasipur – Bankurha section is now serving by DMU trains, but after completion up to Masagram, EMU train will run from Haorha/Shialdaha/Kolkata to Raynagar.

1 Bandel local & 1 Uluberhia local has also introduced recently.

1977 express has derailed in 13/5/11.

A new bullet train, 2011 express will be introduced from 01:01 P.M. tomorrow.

ohkk...so u remembered everything or u take down things, which u later on share with us??...:)

I thought u would be sharing the news of Mukul Roy being made the next RM!:okay:

CC Saugata Sengupta

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3607/3930076777_0eff2f25fd_b.jpg
Sealdah Station, PF #4 and #4A is full with two 9CAR EMU.

All rights reserved by Saugata Sengupta
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3148/3021613444_f38cc42ff4_b.jpg

Dankuni Jn Layout map

http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/getimage.dll?path=TOIKM/2011/05/22/7/Img/Ad0071200.png

A STORY OF FORMER AMTA LINE

May be many people today take Amta local from Haorha/Shalimar to go to Domjurh, Barhgachhia & Amta within 1.5 hours with smooth EMU trains, but most don’t know the past history of this line.

Until 40 years before, this line was NG, and used completely separate alignment. It started from just after the Chandmari Bridge (the arch bridge after Bankim Setu). The NG station was at the place of present multi-storied building just side of the bridge. There were 3 platforms. After quitting the station it follows the current one way road (Belilious Road?) just beside of the present BG lines, and continued behind Tikiaparha Big Bazar, then via Shanpur and following current road it came under present Dasnagar Rail Station. That time there was no Dasnagar BG station.

Just passing under the BG line, it appears on then Dasnagar NG Jn, where it was divided in 2 branches. The straight line went to Shiakhala, and the line took left turn went to Barhgachhia. After that station it simply followed the present Amta Road just like a tram line. It passed under the present Amta BG line, although then that line was only a goods link line between Santragachhi & Dankuni. After reaching Barhgachhia, it was again divided. One branch went to Champadanga, another to Amta, following present Amta Road.

It is clear that the former route was fully different than now.

There are very little remainings of that route.
1) The former place of Haorha NG station is now changed to a multi-storied building.
2) I saw in 2004 that former Makarhdaha station’s signboard is still standing beside the Amta Road, although I’m not sure that signboard is still present in 2011 or not. That place was still called Makarhdaha old station bazaar. Currently C-11 bus runs on the road.
3) Current BG line crosses the former NG line near Bankrha & Nayabaz.
4) The former place of Amta NG station is now changed to Block Development Office.

I heard there was also a station at Baltikuri & Shalap.

***Anybody can see many scenes of that NG line in the Bengali Movie ‘Natun Pata’ – starred Shamit Bhanja, Shambhu Mitra, Jawahar Roy etc.

A STORY OF FORMER AMTA LINE


I think some of these were already shared before ^^
But anyway thanks for the useful infos !!!

All rights reserved by Saugata Sengupta
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3148/3021613444_f38cc42ff4_b.jpg

Dankuni Jn Layout map

The elevated balloon loop of the right side of this map has now demolished for 2 rail factories.

Thanks for the update

Night trains likely in Maoist belt

High-Level Meeting At Writers’ To Lift Ban

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Kolkata: Night trains --banned on Kharagpur-Tatanagar and Kharagpur-Adra sections after the Jnaneswari Express sabotage that killed over 160 passengers, are likely to be back on track. On Tuesday, a highlevel railways committee, that included newly appointed director general, Railway Protection Force, P K Mehta and South Eastern Railway general manager Vinay Mittal, met senior officials of the state government at Writers’ Buildings to review the situation. Mittal also called on chief minister Mamata Mukherjee. Another high-level meeting is scheduled on Thursday, when further decision will take place on the matter.
The railway delegation also spoke to the state director general of police, and explained the situation. “Even after the Jnaneswari disaster, Maoist activity at several places in Adra division has affected train movement. The Urma station in Purulia came under attack on several occasions. We can’t keep night trains suspended indefinitely… Senior police officers from these districts have been ordered by the state administration to hold urgent meetings and chalk out a strategy. They are to co-ordinate with the railways, which on its part will do whatever is required for the safe running of trains,” a senior SER official said.
According to him, the meeting was a positive step towards resumption of night services and revamping the overall security scenario along tracks in Maoist-affected areas.
Night passenger trains along these routes had stopped running after May 28, 2010, when the Mumbaibound Jnaneswari Express from Howrah was derailed by Maoists, resulting in the death of over 160 passengers. Since then, most westbound trains were rescheduled to leave Howrah early in the morning, causing inconvenience to passengers.
After the Jnaneswari disaster, a war of words erupted between the railways and the state government over who should take responsibility for the safe-running of trains along Maoist-affected stretches. While the railways maintained that law and order was the state’s responsibility, the government said it didn’t have adequate security personnel to protect railway assets. A request was made to the ministry of home affairs to depute more companies of central paramilitary forces to tackle the situation. When no additional forces arrived, the railways announced it wouldn’t take the risk of running trains along risky stretches at night unless the state gave the necessary security clearance. Even during the day, extremists have stopped trains for hours, inconveniencing passengers.

http://twocircles.net/2011may25/west_bengals_railway_projects_schedule_mukul_roy.html
West Bengal's railway projects on schedule: Mukul Roy

India News
By IANS,

Kolkata: Railway projects in West Bengal launched over the past three years were being implemented smoothly and would be completed in time, Minister of State for Railways Mukul Roy said here Wednesday.

The projects were launched by Mamata Banerjee during her tenure as railway minister. Now she is the chief minister of West Bengal, having uprooted the Left Front government in a historic assembly poll after 34 years of uninterrupted rule.

"I held a meeting today (Wednesday) with the general managers of three divisional railways in the state - Eastern, South Eastern and Metro - and senior railway officials to take a stock of the ongoing projects across the state," said Roy.

Roy, who is central minister of state for shipping, has been given the additional charge of railway after the Trinamool Congress supremo May 19 resigned before taking over as the state's chief minister.

Roy said: "All the projects announced by Mamata Banerjee as railway minister in her railway budgets in 2008-09, 2009-2010 and 2010-11 financial years are being successfully implemented. All the projects will be completed well before time."

Banerjee had announced at least 16 major manufacturing units across the state besides several other projects like museums, training centres, nursing schools, hospitals, renovation and upgradation of railway stations, construction of new railway routes and gauge conversation of existing railway lines.

http://www.financialexpress.com/news/mamata-sop-rail-concession-for-women/795303/

Mamata sop: Rail concession for women

Kolkata: In keeping with the then Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee's budget announcement for 2011-12, the Eastern Railway has decided to reduce the age limit for women from 60 years to 58 years for availing senior citizens' concessions.

In the case of men, however, the cutoff age for availing the concession remains at 60 years, but the rate of concession has been increased from 30 per cent to 40 per cent.

For women, the rate of concession would continue to remain at 50 per cent, the statement said.

The concession will be available in the basic fares of mail and express trains and all inclusive fares of Rajdhani, Shatabdi and Jan Shatabdi trains.

According to the statement, the concession will be admissible on tickets purchased on and after June. Refund of the difference of fares will not be admissible in case of tickets already issued for travel on and after that date.

http://epaper.hindustantimes.com/PUBLICATIONS/HT/HKL/2011/05/26/Article//004/26_05_2011_004_026.jpg

Tension over Dankuni land
TNN (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata-/Tension-over-Dankuni-land/articleshow/8561796.cms)| May 25, 2011

SREERAMPUR: A railway ministry notification on Monday to acquire nearly 220 acres in Dankuni in Hooghly district - setting aside no less than 184 objections - has set the stage for another political battle but with roles reversed.

The land is being acquired to lay a 20-km broad gauge railway track between Dankuni and a Muslim pilgrimage - Furfura Sharif. Then railways minister Mamata Banerjee had announced the project in 2009. The first notification for acquisition was issued in August last year. However, nearly 184 landowners objected to handing over their land to the railways. All objections now have been set aside. The land to be acquired includes homestead and multi-crop land.

Singur had only seven recorded objections. Of them, a homestead landowner has been rehabilitated and a factory owner compensated. The Hooghly district magistrate had turned down the remaining five objections. Hooghly CPM leader Samir Das said: "Why is there so much hide-and-seek in this land acquisition? In Singur, the government had come out with details of the compensation. What is the package? What about the assurance for a job of each of those farmers displaced?" Railway sources indicated that a special rehabilitation package is being worked out which will ensure not just a good compensation but also jobs. In May 2009, real estate firm DLF Ltd had to abandon its 4,840-acre township at Dankuni even after offering to pay KMDA Rs 56 lakh per acre of land. DLF had promised to employ at least one person from each family displaced. Still the state government was unable to acquire the land.

Locals say that railway officials had met the unwilling peasants in Ojonpukurdhar last year, and heard their demands for a good price and jobs. In anticipation, locals said, many land owners had hurriedly divided their ancestral land among their children hoping all of them get jobs. It wasn't without reason that this turned into a pre-poll election issue.

Enayat Khan, whose two-bigha land is to be acquired said: "I had given my objection and asked for Rs 3 lakh per bigha and a job for each of my two sons. I will not accept anything less." Samir Das, of Moshad village, said his two-bigha land is within the project site. " Mine is a muti-crop land. I had asked for Rs 3.5 lakh per bigha and a job for my son. I am not aware they will acquire the land without heeding to our demands. I will fight against it." Mehbooba Naseem, a Furfura Sharif resident is helpless. The 0.11 bigha is all she has to fend for her family. "This is not what we had thought. They cannot snatch away our livelihood," she said.

hi

I Joined in new to this link. i was amazed how the cyberspace is used for discussion. i am writing my thesis on hoogly belt. What I cannot still get it correct ( i know it is difficult to comprehend anyways) is what is the Master Plan ( read vision ) for the urban West Bengal.

I am curious to know if Riverfront development is only about real estate development? How will one negotiate with the people ( I think they are in thousands ) who are settled around these banks.

What is the startegy. If one begins with the word beutification of the riverfront then one gets it completely wroung. what Rites is doing is it being discussed in the public domain? Are people with it? If not then I see the entire thing falling flat.

I would like to discuss this further.

Aparna

@ Aparna: Welcome to the forum. U can check our infra related threads in the Kolkata forum, join us for a discussion in the adda thread (again, if reqd). For the riverfront development project, its still in the initial phases, but as per reports, it will be on the stretch between Howrah Bridge and Vidyasagar Setu (i.e. till princep ghat). For more see here: http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=482640&page=250 ~~~post# 4988!!...regarding the real estate thing there's no space for new developments, but yes there are many old heritage buildings, but as of now no plans have yet been made for these buildings.

Btw, welcome SSC Kol forum, and u r also the 1st female member of SSC Kol (provided the username is not ficticious!)...:)

A STORY OF FORMER FALTA LINE

Most probably we can go to Joka by metro around 2015, but residents of Joka will see then the 3rd type of mass rail transport. Metro will start in 2015, tram was between 1986 and 2011 and NG train up-to around 1965.

Until 46 years before, there was an NG line between Majherhat & Falta. That line passed parallel with BG line (Bajbaj) from Majherhat & New Alipur. The New Alipur station was named Kalighat until 1992. From there it turned right and after some twist & turn it came at Gholsapur, where was the loco shed. Then it followed the entire James Long Sarani up-to Joka, and then Diamond Harbor Road, just like a tram line.

Stations were Majherhat, Kalighat, Gholsapur, Shakherbazar, Pailan, Bhasa, Amtala and so on…

There are very little remainings of that route.
1) The former place of kalighat NG station is now changed to a multi-storied building.
2) The alignment between Majherhat & Kalighat is now filled by many houses.
3) I saw in 2002 that former Gholsapur station’s building is still standing inside the rail quarter area, although I'm not sure that building is still present in 2011 or not. The NG rail alignment is still clear inside the area.
4) Then I also saw a remaining of former level crossing gate at Behala.
5) Former tram-line & future metro line will touch the former NG line near Joka.

One of my relatives house is at Falta, and she told me that the station building is still present like a debris, and the buffer is still stands, now used as an illegal urinal.

Unfortunately, this line has not converted to BG. Will current RM plan it?

Telegraph (http://www.telegraphindia.com/1110530/jsp/calcutta/story_14047148.jsp)
Meter malaise at station gateways

Finding a taxi that agrees to run on meter is perhaps the most taxing prospect for someone arriving in the city through Santragachhi and Calcutta stations. With no police personnel around, passengers — especially those with family or elderly persons — often have no choice but to give in to unreasonable demands by cabbies. Metro walked with some passengers after they stepped out of these two stations and experienced their harassment first-hand.

Santragachhi

Taxis as well as other vehicles — Maruti vans and Tata Sumos — are parked on the spacious paved pathway just outside the station.

Mayank Agarwal was in a hurry to reach Minto Park. The driver of a Maruti van first approached him as he emerged from the platform. Agarwal ignored him and approached a taxi waiting ahead. But there was no luck on that front either. “Rs 350 is the charge from here. You won’t find any taxi going on meter from here,” said the driver.

Agarwal walked ahead and reached Santragachhi Station Road. But here, too, the taxis refused to ply on meter. After much haggling, Agarwal finally found a cab that agreed to take him to Esplanade for Rs 200. “I will take a bus from there,” he said.

Regulars on the route said taxis that wait outside Santragachhi station never run on meter. “There are no policemen around, to whom you can complain,” said passenger Ashim Gupta.

Taxi drivers justified demanding a premium, saying they have to cross the toll plaza on Vidyasagar Setu. “We have to give money at the toll plaza. Also, the parking charges here are very high,” said a driver. But Metro didn’t spot a single cabbie paying anyone before leaving the parking lot.

Calcutta (Chitpur)

Since the availability of any other form of transport is scarce from this station, taxi drivers have ample scope to demand extortionate rates — and get away with it — from helpless passengers. “To whom do you complain? There are no cops around. There is no way to reach my destination other than a cab,” said Pawan Kumar, a youth from Patna.

Sankar Chakraborty, who arrived from Chittaranjan, had to shell out Rs 200 to go to Chowringhee. “I have my family with me. So I agreed to pay the amount. I often travel alone. On those occasions, I walk till Shyambazar and take a Metro from there,” he said. Shyambazar is a 15-minute walk from Calcutta station.

In the absence of other modes of transport, even the taxis taking passengers to the station charge extra. “I arrived in a taxi from Howrah, and it charged me Rs 250. The driver said he wouldn’t get any passenger while returning. So, he didn’t agree to ply on meter,” said Kumar.

Police voice: G. Anil Srinivas, the superintendent of railway police, Sealdah, said he was unaware of the practice at Calcutta station, which is under his jurisdiction. “No one has ever complained to me about taxis not running on meter. But I will look into the matter,” he promised.

Asked about the situation at Santragachhi station, Howrah SP H. K. Kusumakar said: “I am not aware of the problem. Now that I have been told about it, I will take action.”

Howrah is no longer a horror and Sealdah has become a pleasant surprise. For rail travellers used to porter tantrums and touts, two services introduced recently — luggage trolleys and battery-operated carts — have made the prospect of train travel far less cringe-inducing.

Metro checks them out to find out how these small initiatives have made a big difference and suggests some measures that can be taken to make the train experience even better.

Luggage trolleys

What we saw: A couple disembark from a car outside Howrah station with two suitcases and two handbags.

Even before they start looking for assistance, they spot a youth pushing a trolley, dressed in a blue jacket with a sponsor’s logo. He loads the luggage on to the trolley and takes it right up to the train the couple will board, unloading the luggage right at the door of their coach.

To the frequent flier, a luggage trolley is pedestrian. But it’s something of a revelation for the harried long-distance train traveller.

It’s thanks to the Rail Yatri Sevak service, introduced by the Indian Railways last December, that luggage trolleys are now available at Howrah and Sealdah.

Youths in blue jackets with the words “May I Help You” emblazoned on them now dot the premises of the two stations. If you don’t feel confident of carrying your luggage yourself, you can ask for them to do it for you — just for Rs 35.

How to use the service: You don’t have to queue up anywhere. Just spot a person dressed in a blue jacket pushing a trolley and ask for the service. Pay him when he has pushed your luggage till the coach you are to travel in. It’s that simple, really.

User feedback: “We hardly got off the taxi when a youth approached us, pushing a trolley. He loaded our luggage on the trolley and pushed it till the door of the train coach,” Narayan Sharma, who went to see off his wife and children at Howrah a week ago, said. “This was such a pleasant experience, compared with the usual mobbing by porters, when passengers are usually forced to cough up exorbitant amounts,” said the Burrabazar trader.

How to make the service more effective: As of now, there are 180 luggage trolleys in Howrah and 100 in Sealdah. Considering that the two stations are used by 11 lakh and 14 lakh passengers daily (though not all travel long-distance) the number of trolleys needs to be increased.

“We haven’t been able to increase the number of luggage trolleys because of resistance from the porters’ union,” said a railway official at Howrah station. “Many new trolleys are lying unused inside a godown because we haven’t yet been able to utilise them.” But Eastern Railway sources said the number of trolleys would soon be increased.

There is also the need to put up proper signage — informing passengers of the service and how to avail of it — at both stations.

“We have put up adequate signs informing passengers about the service,” said Samir Goswami, the chief public relations officer for Eastern Railway. But as more trolleys are introduced, it would create more awareness,” he added.

Battery-operated carts

What we saw: Battery-operated carts that carry elderly and physically challenged passengers between various points on the Howrah and Sealdah compounds.

The vehicles resemble golf carts with sofa seating at the rear. Apart from the driver, four passengers can travel in each cart, provided there’s no luggage.

How to use the service: Carry your ticket to the enquiry counter and inform the official at the counter about the accompanying passenger who needs to take the cart. The official will get in touch with a car operator over walkie-talkie.

User feedback: Diptendu Sarkar and his wife Anamika had read about the service in a newspaper. But Diptendu, 54, was pleasantly surprised when a battery-operated car came to a halt near the enquiry counter where he was standing with his wife. “My wife suffers from arthritis. She has acute pain in her knees. I thought of trying my luck and asked about the service at the counter. After 10 minutes, a car arrived,” said the bank official from Lake Town.

How to make the service more effective: The Sarkars had to wait for 10 minutes for the cart because there are just nine carts in Howrah and four in Sealdah. Like in the case of the trolleys, the authorities need to increase the number of the battery-operated carts so that more passengers can use the service.

Raynagar line has come nearer to Haorha/Shialdaha/Kolkata by 1 station as Mathnasipur from today. Mathnasipur – Bankurha section is now serving by DMU trains, but after completion up to Masagram, EMU train will run from Haorha/Shialdaha/Kolkata to Raynagar.


There was no mention of electrification of this line. Hence, I guess unless Bankura - Rainagar - Masagram gets electrified, there will be DEMU services.

Warm regards,
Anamitra

DEMU is diesel local, MEMU is mainline electric local, EMU is ordinary local, DEMU runs in Digha & Roynagar line.

CHITPUR YARD – Past & Present

Chitpur Yard, which starts from Bidhannagar Road – Damdam rail line and ends at Kashipur Road Bridge, has a variable history.

The entries were by two different ways, both under the Damdam rail line. Previously up goods trains entered by the first way, and down goods trains exited by the last way (counting from Bidhannagar Road station.) Both ways were mixed after some going. From that meeting point all lines were passed under Belgachhia Tram Bridge and Tala Bridge, finaly stops just before Kashipur Road Bridge. Infact one line continued to the former riverside goods line for Kolkata port, which later converted to suburban rail line (Circular Rail).

Half of the lines were electrified upto Belgachhia Tram Bridge. The system was that electric locos could haul goods trains on the beginning of the yard, and then formerly steam; later diesel locos could hauld further to godowns, factories, and shunting. At Tala Bridge, 3 lines branch to Kashipur Thermal Power Plant.

This situation changed in 2006, when the Kolkata station opened. To relieve the pressure of Shiladaha station, this station planned mainly for long-distance trains. This station has constructed in the place of former coal yard. After the final decision, tracks of coal yard and up way were all removed. All overhead wires and masts of up way were also removed. The up way’s tracks are now replaced by coach yard. A small part of overhead wire was present until 2009, and then it finaly removed. After construction of Kolkata station, former Ultadingi Road station was also closed.

Now almost all tracks of this yard is electrified including Kashipur Plant branch, for entirely hauling by electric locos. Up and down of goods trains all made by the only former down way, because now up way is closed. The former single line of Circular Rail is now tripled for freely entering & exitin of Express trains to Kolkata station.

Also upto 1990, the former Ultodingi Road station was sightly southward from its last position (when I was a student of class 7). It was an extension of the former goods line of Eastern Paper Mill. When the line finally reached to Damdam, it was realigned to its corrent position, but the ticket counter was at the same position until the closure. The remaining goods line was removed and now changed to a road lane. There was a plan to build a new rail line upto Jyotinagar from this point via Laketown and Bidhannagar, but it is now cancelled. Both former & later bridges are still present.

You can see the up & down ways of the yard in the film CHIRHIAKHANA, on the scene of Uttamkumar & Shailen is going to Bamangachhi by local train, and by the window - the ways of yard, largly empty surroundings, and the huge lake on the place of fromer Bidhannagar, all has recorded.

An important part of the film APUR SANGSAR was also shooted near Tala station, formerly an ordinary place of the yard.

http://img812.imageshack.us/img812/8905/chitpuryard.jpg

I love these posts all the way. And learned a lot from these also. I remember too - around till 1990 or maybe a little latter than that, there used to be a lot more lines under the Ultadanga rail bridge (I used to go from Sealdah to Naihati and back a few times every year). There used to be one single track line that would cross connect the "up" and "down" lines you have mentioned, and steam locos used to move on it. The shape was weird - it would start EW, curve up to become parallel to the NS main line in the Seahdah-Dumdum section and then curve once more to join back the EW line. It used to pass by a rather isolated railway quarter and also a pond on which people would wash clothes and bathe.

Nice old memories. My class 6 was 1990-91 - so I guess I am contemporary to you !!

DEMU is diesel local, MEMU is mainline electric local, EMU is ordinary local, DEMU runs in Digha & Roynagar line.

CHITPUR YARD – Past & Present

Chitpur Yard, which starts from Bidhannagar Road – Damdam rail line and ends at Kashipur Road Bridge, has a variable history.

The entries were by two different ways, both under the Damdam rail line. Previously up goods trains entered by the first way, and down goods trains exited by the last way (counting from Bidhannagar Road station.) Both ways were mixed after some going. From that meeting point all lines were passed under Belgachhia Tram Bridge and Tala Bridge, finaly stops just before Kashipur Road Bridge. Infact one line continued to the former riverside goods line for Kolkata port, which later converted to suburban rail line (Circular Rail).

Half of the lines were electrified upto Belgachhia Tram Bridge. The system was that electric locos could haul goods trains on the beginning of the yard, and then formerly steam; later diesel locos could hauld further to godowns, factories, and shunting. At Tala Bridge, 3 lines branch to Kashipur Thermal Power Plant.

This situation changed in 2006, when the Kolkata station opened. To relieve the pressure of Shiladaha station, this station planned mainly for long-distance trains. This station has constructed in the place of former coal yard. After the final decision, tracks of coal yard and up way were all removed. All overhead wires and masts of up way were also removed. The up way’s tracks are now replaced by coach yard. A small part of overhead wire was present until 2009, and then it finaly removed. After construction of Kolkata station, former Ultadingi Road station was also closed.

Now almost all tracks of this yard is electrified including Kashipur Plant branch, for entirely hauling by electric locos. Up and down of goods trains all made by the only former down way, because now up way is closed. The former single line of Circular Rail is now tripled for freely entering & exitin of Express trains to Kolkata station.

Also upto 1990, the former Ultodingi Road station was sightly southward from its last position (when I was a student of class 7). It was an extension of the former goods line of Eastern Paper Mill. When the line finally reached to Damdam, it was realigned to its corrent position, but the ticket counter was at the same position until the closure. The remaining goods line was removed and now changed to a road lane. There was a plan to build a new rail line upto Jyotinagar from this point via Laketown and Bidhannagar, but it is now cancelled. Both former & later bridges are still present.

You can see the up & down ways of the yard in the film CHIRHIAKHANA, on the scene of Uttamkumar & Shailen is going to Bamangachhi by local train, and by the window - the ways of yard, largly empty surroundings, and the huge lake on the place of fromer Bidhannagar, all has recorded.

An important part of the film APUR SANGSAR was also shooted near Tala station, formerly an ordinary place of the yard.

http://img812.imageshack.us/img812/8905/chitpuryard.jpg

DEMU is diesel local, MEMU is mainline electric local, EMU is ordinary local, DEMU runs in Digha & Roynagar line.

CHITPUR YARD – Past & Present



Interesting

AGARPARHA-DAKSHINESHWAR GOODS LINE

In my childhood and up to 1992, I saw two goods lines near Dakshineshwar station on ground level. One just beside of the up ramp of Bibekananda Setu, another was some distance away. Both they were entered in two jute mills. The next year, I saw its starting point, although then was the beginning of the end of the lines.

The line started just before Agarparha station, and continued through the present 230 bus terminus. The street is the bus uses today from station to B.T.Road, is exactly a part of the rail line. After some distance, it was branched two, one part followed current bus route and after crossing the B.T.Road as 90degree, it entered into a jute mill. The remaining branch moved angle, and after some going, it also crossed B.T. Road as 45degree and continued up to under Dakshineshwar rail station. The bridge is under the platform, just beside of the place of future Shriramkrishna metro station, which is now, crosses the down lane of the expressway. Just after passing under the bridge, the line again divided in two parts and went to those said two jute mills at Dakshineshwar.

After the cancellation of extending tram network up to Dakshineshwar, the plan of Nibedita Setu proposed. The growing traffic and the closure of those mills stopped the goods train service. Tracks ripped around 1994, and the Nibedita Setu’s construction completely demolished those mills.

Today neither those mills, nor those 3 lines are present. The only remaining is the 230 bus route from Agarparha to Kamarhati, which is running using the former alignment of the goods line.

Whoever went to Dankuni from Shialdaha, he/she saw that a large balloon-loop type rail track was laid near Dankuni. It was started just after Dankuni-Andul goods link line, and after that, it was branched from up line and encircled over the chord line and then joined with elevated shunting live, over Haorha chord branch. At last it met again with Shialdaha line with down line. It was constructed for reversing (goods/local) trains, but I never saw its operation, except 2 derailed wagon in 1991, when I was a student of class 8. After many years of unused, that lop has recently demolished, for space of proposed 2 workshops at Dankuni. The bridge is still situated, but I think it will also be demolished soon.

There is a link line from Rajchandrapur/Dankuni to Bankrha, connecting ER & SER for goods train passing from Rajchandrapur/Dankuni to Santragachhi/Andul. Why this line is not used for operating EMU service from Shiladaha/Kolkata to Andul directly, even express trains towards Kharhgapur/Digha etc? I suggest it.

Railway station Under construction just beside New Garia (Kavi Subash) Metro station. The work seems to be going on very quickly. Took it yesterday afternoon.
http://i53.tinypic.com/33bd1ro.jpg

Railway station Under construction just beside New Garia (Kavi Subash) Metro station. The work seems to be going on very quickly. Took it yesterday afternoon.


:cheers:

gr8 update :cheers:

good update

Gr8 update Tintin...work seems speeding with full steam!!...:okay:

Railways revamp plan for Santragachi station
Jayanta Gupta TNN

Kolkata:Over the last couple of years,several new longdistance trains have started running from Kolkata to various parts of the country.This brought to the fore a major problem that the city has been facing for years.There arent sufficient passenger terminals to handle the rush.Now that a new government is in place in Bengal,South Eastern Railway has taken up plans to develop infrastructure at the Santragachi station which is next to the Kona Expressway.
With limited space available at Howrah station,SER had started developing both Santragachi and Shalimar to handle long-distance trains.While platforms and other facilities were developed at Santragachi,it could never take off as an alternative to Howrah due to lack of initiative on the part of the state government in creating proper connectivity from Kolkata.Those who dont have their own vehicles are forced to walk the 500-odd metres from the station to Kona Expressway to avail of public transport.
For those living in south Kolkata,Santragachi is a better option than Howrah.After developing facilities at the station,we started giving stoppages at Santragachi for nearly all mail/express trains that started from Howrah.We realized that people wanted to avail of the facilities at Santragachi,but were not too sure of the connectivity.Though we shifted a few trains from Howrah to Santragachi,we couldnt fully utilize the facilities there.We approached the government but there was no improvement, an SER official said.
Things have started to look up with Mamata Banerjee taking over as chief minister.Officials realized that there could be no one better to understand the situation and started preparations to develop Santragachi and Shalimar,which has remained largely unused.
The plan for Santragachi is to construct a connecting road from the southern flank (that is taken by vehicles leaving Kolkata) of Kona Expressway to a point inside the station premises.This road will make a wide U-turn and then connect to the Kona Expressway beyond the station.Buses and taxis from Kolkata that are bound for the station,will move off Kona Expressway,drop passengers and then move back towards the main highway.
Southeastern Railways plans to develop the space where passengers will be dropped and build a foot overbridge from there to the platforms.If the passenger flow goes up significantly,moving pathways may also be constructed.Sources said that a couple of more platforms may be added to accommodate more trains.At a future stage,Santragachi may also be developed into a twostorey structure.

http://lite.epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/TOIKM/2011/06/17/4/Img/Pc0041400.jpg

Railways revamp plan for Santragachi station


Last year also they floated a plan to revamp the approach road towards Santragachi but nothing concrete took place !! lets see what happens now..

Just a thought ::: is it possible to extend the EW metro from howrah maidan upto Santragachi passing through Shalimar ??? I'm ignorant of the positions of howrah maidan & Shalimar station...

^^
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What about Majherhat Terminal ???......SER authority dropped the plan???......:ohno:
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SER wont go for it, as it has no connectivity with Mumbai, and Chennai line!!....they need a bridge for connecting with other side of the river!!

According to minister CM Jatuya... Namkhana-Bakkhali line will be operational withn two years !! Source : Protidin.

SER wont go for it, as it has no connectivity with Mumbai, and Chennai line!!....they need a bridge for connecting with other side of the river!!

According to Ashis -- Budgebudge line is extended uptil Pujali where it will cross the River and meet Birshibpur of Hwh-Kharagpur line. I think it will be a viable option to build a terminal @ mjherhat for future purpose !! Moreover all north bound trains can start either from Majherhat or Kolkata Stn and follow the route DumDum - Dankuni and so on ...but the problem is JOKA-BBD Bag metro is having no interchange station at Majherhat so it will be headache to reach there :bash:

To build passenger terminals @ Shalimar,Santragachi,Majherhat or Kolkata,the connectivity issue must be solved beforehand. There must be good feeder services for these proposed terminals. They can chalk out a plan like this::::

Majherhat::: They must make out something to build an interchange station with the Joka-BBD Bag metro and increase the frequency of Sealdah-Budgebudge and Circular EMU locals.
Kolkata Stn::: As discussed in this forum before, a monorail can meet its needs. Also the frequency of Circular railway must be increased and several bus routes must be introduced.
Santragachi::: Kona expressway needs a complete overhaul.Also EW metro can be extended uptil Santragachi.
Shalimar::: Absolutely no idea how to solve its connectivity issue.Maybe a bridge connecting BudgeBudge & Shalimar can help !! Or else extend EW upto Shalimar !!

According to Ashis -- Budgebudge line is extended uptil Pujali where it will cross the River and meet Birshibpur of Hwh-Kharagpur line. I think it will be a viable option to build a terminal @ mjherhat for future purpose !!

Here's the details given by Ashis Da !!!

Bajbaj line is currently extending towards Pujali. There is a plan to build a large rail station in Majherhat like Kolkata. For this future thinking, after extending to Pujali, this line will coross River Hugli, and will connect at Birshibpur with Haorha – Panshkurha line. There will be a large and high rail-cum-road bridge, which will be the most difficult part. In future, there will be another line from Pujali to Gurudasnagar via Bakhrahat. The extension towards pujali has started, and is planned to open in December 2013.
After the completion, some Bajbaj locals can be extended towards Birshibpur. We can go to Birshibpur from Shialdaha also. But the most interesting part is that if Majherhat terminal could build, many express trains towards Mumbai, Chennai & Bengaluru could be introduced from there to run via Kharhgapur. Then there will be no need for an Inhabitants of Behala area to go to Haorha / Shalimar for catching and express train for west/south India.
Currently, if anyone wishes to go from Bajbaj to Diamondharbour, he/she must change train at Baliganj. After completion the line via Bakhrahat, there will direct service from Bajbaj to Diamondharbour via Pujali & Bakhrahat. EMU trains will serve this line.

rrz3poLxCjc

Shalimar Station (http://shibpurinternational.com/sublink/images/Rail%20Stations/Shalimar.JPG)

http://img861.imageshack.us/img861/3076/shalimar.jpg

http://epaper.hindustantimes.com/PUBLICATIONS/HT/HKL/2011/06/19/Article//002/19_06_2011_002_003.jpg

http://epaper.hindustantimes.com/PUBLICATIONS/HT/HKL/2011/06/19/Article//002/19_06_2011_002_021.jpg

http://epaper.hindustantimes.com/PUBLICATIONS/HT/HKL/2011/06/19/Article//002/19_06_2011_002_016.jpg

At Sealdah

BU-Ts722u5w

To build passenger terminals @ Shalimar,Santragachi,Majherhat or Kolkata,the connectivity issue must be solved beforehand. There must be good feeder services for these proposed terminals. They can chalk out a plan like this::::

Majherhat::: They must make out something to build an interchange station with the Joka-BBD Bag metro and increase the frequency of Sealdah-Budgebudge and Circular EMU locals.
Kolkata Stn::: As discussed in this forum before, a monorail can meet its needs. Also the frequency of Circular railway must be increased and several bus routes must be introduced.
Santragachi::: Kona expressway needs a complete overhaul.Also EW metro can be extended uptil Santragachi.
Shalimar::: Absolutely no idea how to solve its connectivity issue.Maybe a bridge connecting BudgeBudge & Shalimar can help !! Or else extend EW upto Shalimar !!

I've posted a self-snapped photo on Kolkata metro thread that Majherhat metro station is already u/c. Please see it by searching.

I think the future plan (under survey) of extension of metro line 2 to Bagnan will go via Santragachhi & Dhulagarh.

To build passenger terminals @ Shalimar,Santragachi,Majherhat or Kolkata,the connectivity issue must be solved beforehand. There must be good feeder services for these proposed terminals. They can chalk out a plan like this::::

Majherhat::: They must make out something to build an interchange station with the Joka-BBD Bag metro and increase the frequency of Sealdah-Budgebudge and Circular EMU locals.
Kolkata Stn::: As discussed in this forum before, a monorail can meet its needs. Also the frequency of Circular railway must be increased and several bus routes must be introduced.
Santragachi::: Kona expressway needs a complete overhaul.Also EW metro can be extended uptil Santragachi.
Shalimar::: Absolutely no idea how to solve its connectivity issue.Maybe a bridge connecting BudgeBudge & Shalimar can help !! Or else extend EW upto Shalimar !!

Majherhat::: I believe Joka-BBD Bagh Metro link shall have a station which will felicitate interchange with the Majherhat Railway station. In addition to that, buses from various parts of the city must also ply to the station for further convenience, while increased EMU services shall further strengthen connectivity to it.

Kolkata Stn::: Connectivity to this station has always been very poor. With new govt. in power, the transport depts must think about strengthening connectivity to this station, as already large no. of people have been using this station for availing long distance services. Increase of EMU services here would definitely be better.

Santragachhi::: Other than improvement of kona expressway & increasing bus services to this station, I heard long time back that EW-metro upto howrah maidan would be later extended to santragachhi, so I think we need to wait & watch, well, not before 2014.


Shalimar::: Well, this is one heck of a station, with zero infrastructure. This thing needs a complete makeover, with increase in no. of platforms, better passenger amenities, eateries, parking lots, & increase in no. of both local & long distance services. There must be better bus services to this place. And I will not count on EWmetro getting till here; just how people on the other side come to Howrah station through Rabindra setu, they may do the same through either this bridge, or the Vidyasagar/2nd hooghly setu to get to Shalimar terminus.
(Its quite pathetic about how people use that station currently to avail trains to Kerala, Mumbai, 'beach resort town' Digha - our Didi's 'Goa' :nuts:)

http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/getimage.dll?path=TOIKM/2011/06/23/15/Img/Ad0151135.png

http://epaper.hindustantimes.com/PUBLICATIONS/HT/HKL/2011/06/23/Article//003/23_06_2011_003_025.jpg

http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/many-big-projects-never-gottrack/440156/

Many big projects never got on track

Several of the do-it-now chief minister’s proposals as railway minister haven’t progressed beyond the foundation-laying stage

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has lived up to her electoral pledge to return 400 acres to the “unwilling” farmers at Singur. However, many of her promises as the railway minister remain unfulfilled.

Though Banerjee had focused on her “excellent performance” as railway minister in the run-up to the Assembly elections, her achievements were largely restricted to flagging off trains every weekend. Duronto, Yuva and Ladies’ Special were her “gifts” to the people, as mentioned in the party’s manifesto, but much remains to be done as far as rail projects are concerned.

"She (Mamata Banerjee) has kept most of her promises in introducing new trains and internal infrastructure development works like renovation of stations. But progress has not been satisfactory on bigger projects, for various reasons,” a railway official said, adding, “There were over 100 railway functions inaugurating new projects or flagging off new trains in West Bengal in the last six months of her tenure as railway minister. It’s another matter that most of “gifts” were for her home state.”

A major site for railway projects in West Bengal is Dankuni, where the former railway minister laid the foundation stone for factories for the manufacture of electric and diesel engine components in December 2009. The initial deadline for the Rs 262-crore project was January 2011. But Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd (RVNL), which is executing the projects, does not seem to have a clue about when the projects will be completed.(Click here for table (http://www.business-standard.com/content/general_pdf/062311_02.pdf))

“All the sites have not been made available yet. We are just the agency that is meant to execute the projects on behalf of the railways. A lot of major decisions to be taken by the railways are still pending,” an official of RVNL said.

Another project that aroused a lot of initial interest was the Kanchrapara-Halisahar railway complex near Kolkata for the manufacture of 500 coaches per year at an estimated cost of Rs 860 crore.

The project evoked interest from international players. Bombardier, Alstom, Siemens, Kawasaki, CAF Spain, Stadler, Hitachi and Rotem were shortlisted for setting up the rail coach factory.

The project was announced in the 2009-10 railway budget, but no major progress has taken place apart from land measurement and forest department approval for felling of trees at the factory site. The developmental work at the factory site is yet to be completed. The bidding process was scheduled to be completed by January this year, but the bidding papers have yet to get clearances from the Union finance ministry.

“The bidding papers for the Kanchrapara project are still with the finance ministry. The papers go to the ministries of finance and law as they will ensure that the government's interests are secured in the bidding procedure,” officials close to the development said.

The railway ministry also has plans to come up with five wagon factories, to be set up in public private partnership (PPP) or joint venture (JV) mode, including one at Kulti in the Bardhaman district of West Bengal, since Indian Railways is planning to acquire 18,000 wagons.

The Rs 120 crore project, to be executed by Bengal Wagon Industry Ltd, a joint venture company of RITES and SAIL, plans to manufacture 1,200 wagons and rehabilitate 300 wagons annually. The manufacturing unit, scheduled to be commissioned by 2012, is also likely to miss this target. According to officials, it will take “at least another two years from now” to commission the plant.

There are many other projects pending in the West Bengal – a refrigerated container factory at Budge Budge, a metro coach rehabilitation factory at Noapara, a railway electronic components factory in New Cooch Behar, and a Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU) and coach factory at Haldia. But very few of them have progressed beyond the foundation stone laying stage.

Moreover, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) manifesto also mentions a metro coach factory in Singur that the party supremo had proposed in her last Railway Budget speech. However, nothing on this proposal has been heard since the announcement, and when asked about the proposal, a railway official also seemed clueless.

In her last budget, Banerjee announced an annual plan outlay of Rs 57,630 crore for 2011-12, that would have involved market borrowings of Rs 20,000 crore, compared to an annual plan outlay of Rs 40,000 crore in the previous financial year. However, there were specific fund allocations for large-sized rail projects.

According to analysts, funding is not a problem for these projects, but Indian Railways has failed to attract private players to invest in its projects.

“Money is not the problem. Many of the big projects will be done through private sector participation. But when you invite the private sector, you have to treat them as equal partners and see how to make it attractive for them. We find that both of these things are not really happening. No one is interested to come and invest in the railway sector. Either you have to empower organisations like RVNL, outside the railways, so that they can execute the projects, or internally you should have a dedicated department to look after all these projects,” said Vishwas Udgirkar, senior director at Deloitte India.

Several big railway projects in Rae Bareli (in Uttar Pradesh), Chhapra, Muzaffarpur and Mokama (in Bihar) and Kanchrapara (in West Bengal) were pending when Banerjee rose to deliver her budget speech in February this year, leaving a long list of things to be done by her successor.

Newly appointed Minister of State for Railways Mukul Roy, who recently met general managers of three divisional railways in West Bengal – Eastern, South Eastern and Metro – and senior railway officials to review ongoing projects across the state, said, “All the projects announced by Mamata Banerjee as railway minister in her railway budgets in 2008-09, 2009-10 and 2010-11 financial years are being successfully implemented. All the projects will be completed well before time.”

Roy is in charge of railway public sector undertakings, including IRCTC, RVNL, RITES and IRCON.

Banerjee may have been found wanting as the railway minister, but as chief minister she is in a do-it-immediately mood. She has addressed several major issues in the state – be it a new agreement to restore peace in the Hills, returning land to the unwilling farmers at Singur, or revoking an agreement with Tata Motors on grounds of non-performance. But, will her performance as the railway minister be assessed as well?

At last my dream is coming to true. The future Puri Duranta Express will go from Shaildaha via Rajchandrapur-Bankrha-Andul. So in future, I hope more express & local train will use this line.

Who knows, one day we can go from Shialdaha/Kolkata to Kharhgapur or from Shalimar to Barddhaman via this route?

Rajchandrapur-Bankrha-Andul

Haven't heard of this link before ... it is not present in the map also !!!

^^ Where dose it crosses the hooghly ?

^^ Where dose it crosses the hooghly ?
After Dakshineswar.

Haven't heard of this link before ... it is not present in the map also !!!

It is basically used for goods train.The link is old.This is the first time the link is going to be used for passenger trains.The line is single.

After Dakshineswar.

Ok it will cross the Bally bridge (Vivekananda setu).. Thanks.

Travelling in a EMU; maybe someday they will have modern local trains in Kolkata

video by munnasystem

c6jocOvjbOg

TELEGRAPH (http://www.telegraphindia.com/1110627/jsp/calcutta/story_14165131.html)

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1110627/images/27metgopal2.jpg

The escalator at Howrah station that will take passengers 30 feet up to the footbridge connecting the old and new complexes. From platform 14, the escalator leads to the 100-metre walkway, which has stairs at the other end descending on platform 17. The escalator, now on a trial run, missed the April deadline. It is slated to start operations next month. Passengers can take the escalator with luggage. Porters, however, will not be allowed on the escalator with cargo, said a railway official. The staircase on platform 14 that leads to the footbridge will remain open. Railway officials said plans were afoot to turn the footbridge into a walkalator and build footbridges connecting all the platforms

^^:cheer:

http://epaper.hindustantimes.com/PUBLICATIONS/HT/HKL/2011/06/23/Article//003/23_06_2011_003_025.jpg

Vital details such as the date of the news report and the corresponding weblink are missing from your news posts. Can you please post the link (even though its an epaper link and you are posting the entire article here itself). Thanks for your cooperation.

Anyone have any updates or recent pictures of the under construction rail lines?

Vital details such as the date of the news report and the corresponding weblink are missing from your news posts. Can you please post the link (even though its an epaper link and you are posting the entire article here itself). Thanks for your cooperation.

This is the entire news report. Nothing is missed . However below is the link. Check Page no 3
http://epaper.hindustantimes.com/PUBLICATIONS/HT/HKL/2011/06/23/INDEX.SHTML
I have already published the changed time table for the suburban section of the estern railway.


Here is the non suburban section. Page 13 from the link above.

http://epaper.hindustantimes.com/Publications/HT/HKL/2011/06/23/article/013/23_06_2011_013_031.jpg

TELEGRAPH (http://www.telegraphindia.com/1110628/jsp/calcutta/story_14160380.jsp)

Rail survey on new port route
A STAFF REPORTER


The railway has completed survey for a new route that will reduce the distance between the Calcutta and Haldia ports by 70km.

The Rs 2,738-crore Digha-Kulpi project, covering a 45km stretch, includes building a rail bridge over the Hooghly that would cost Rs 2,300 crore and linking East Midnapore and South 24-Parganas.

Under the project, new railway tracks will be laid from Mahishadal to Kukrahati in East Midnapore, covering 10km. Another 4km track will be laid between Raichak and Basuldanga in South 24-Parganas. The 1.2km bridge will connect the two tracks.

“The survey for the project has been completed and the proposal will be sent to the railway board for sanction soon after sorting out a few technicalities regarding the bridge’s span with the port authorities,” said the CPRO, South Eastern Railway, Saumitra Majumdar.

Mamata Banerjee, during her second tenure as the railway minister, had announced the project in her 2010-’11 budget.

Calcutta Port Trust (CPT) officials said the new route would improve connectivity and boost plans for setting up new deep-sea ports. “The new railway project will improve the performance of ports. Movement of cargo will be faster and there’ll be opportunities for new ports planned at Diamond Harbour and Shalukhali near Haldia,” said CPT chairman M.L. Meena.

Meena said the construction of new ports near the mouth of the Hooghly has become necessary to ensure a bright future for the Calcutta and Haldia ports, both of which had been suffering from financial losses because of low draught across the entire riverine channel.

“The new jetties will be used for mechanised handling of bulk cargoes such as iron ore, coal and liquid petroleum products,” said a CPT official.

The existing route taken by goods trains from Haldia to Budge Budge is 180km long and circuitous.

In the proposed route, a train from Haldia will go to Kukrahati and cross a bridge to reach Raichak. From there, it will go to Basuldanga, the station before Diamond Harbour, and then proceed to Budge Budge.

“It’ll also open a new and shorter route to Haldia for passenger trains,” said a railway official.

Officials said the design of the bridge was being finalised in accordance with the specifications laid down by the CPT.

“The height of the girder at the bottom of the bridge should not be less than 52 metres from the level of the river during high tide,” said an official.

http://img580.imageshack.us/img580/1034/ad0090566.png

Alternate URL : http://lite.epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/TOIKM/2011/06/26/9/Img/Ad0090566.png

TELEGRAPH (http://www.telegraphindia.com/1110628/jsp/calcutta/story_14160380.jsp)

Rail survey on new port route
A STAFF REPORTER




If this sees the light of the day it will be awesome. For the time being, the Railways should also concentrate on the Jubilee bridge completion. Any updates on that bridge?


Alternate URL : http://lite.epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/TOIKM/2011/06/26/9/Img/Ad0090566.png

looks like Shalimar and Santragacchi will get some new trains.

:cheers:

^^ No updates on Jubliee bridge ..
It is good that Shalimar and Santragacchi are getting new trains , now connectivity to these stations needs to be increased.

After Shalimar, Santragachhi is going to be 5th rail terminal of Kol-Hao Suburban Railway.
In coming time-table from July, many new express trains are planned from Shalimar & Santragachhi, and most of them are inter-state expresses. Many places will be directly connected from Haorha, Shialdaha, Kolkata, Shalimar & Santragachhi, which was not previously directly reachable from our city. Like – Jaisalmer, Nanded, Mangaluru, Mahishur etc.
Also notable for two criss-crossed Duranta Expresses, Shialdaha-Puri & Shalimar-Patna. Both will be non-AC. So we can enjoy nature’s wind in sleeper class, but in a non-stop train from end-to-end.

My parents are planning to go to Puri by that new train, but I’m not. Wherever & whenever I travel, I travel COMPLETELY ALONE.

http://epaper.hindustantimes.com/Publications/HT/HKL/2011/06/29/article/005/29_06_2011_005_033.jpg

SER is giving us more surprise. After introducing the first Belda local, now they are introducing the first Kolaghat local.

Note:- Kolaghat station is not suitable for KTPS, but adjacent localities, and many picnic-parties of Rupnarayan river will be gainer by this new local train. The nearest rail station of KTPS is Mecheda, the next station, which is much bigger than Kolaghat. There are already more than 1 dozen Mecheda locals.

Kolkata riverfront to turn into cultural zone

In a bid to give a facelift to the Kolkata riverfront, Mamata Banerjee has asked Rites, a central agency, to submit a detailed report for setting up some of the elegant structures -- Kolkata Tower, Kolkata Gateway, city heritage museum and Kolkata mayor's office -- between Babughat and Fairlie Place.

The chief minister has plans to set up a heritage culture zone along the river bank. For implementation of the plan, Rites has suggested removal of the Babughat bus stand. Moreover, the agency wants to pull down the walls along the bank as it obstructs a full view of the river. Rites suggested an underground track in between Princep Ghat and Bagbazar for circular railway.

If things go according to the plan, there will be places for meditation apart from a number of cafeterias, food joints and parks along the 12 km river bank. The ferry ghats will get a new look with decorated sheds and special seats for passengers. Even special ferry services will be introduced to encourage people to make trips along the river.

A permanent fair ground between Babughat and Eden Gardens is also being thought of. Mamata wants a permanent art gallery for artists and artisans and In this cultural heritage zone all forms of Bengal art will be on display ranging from Pot to Dokra along with shops selling curios, gifts and handloom products. The CM wants to hard sell the riverfront to tourists.

A literary square around Bankim Chandra Chatterjee's statue in Babughat. In line with the London Eye, Kolkata Eye, a giant Ferris wheel, will be set up so that the visitors can get a glimpse of the metropolis and of the river below from rotating capsules.

A mini convention centre is being planned at BBD Bag railway station. Rites wants to set up multifunction centres at all the six railway stations of circular railways along the bank to house commercial centres, along with entertainment and hospitality facilities.

The existing heritage buildings in the riverfront will exist and will be decorated, but the old dilapidated buildings will be demolished. Even some of the warehouses will be there keeping the old heritage structure, but most warehouses are likely to be removed from the area.

Fairlie Place will be housing museum, gallery and an auditorium.

Along the river bank, there will be an amphitheatre, a community centre (over Shovabazar station) and the ghats at Kashi Mitra, Kumartuli and Beniatola will be specially dotted with barges where musical programmes can also take place. There will be continuous walking paths along the riverfront between Princep Ghat to Burrabazar for morning walkers. In North Kolkata, Bagbazar will be specially redesigned. The minister is also in favour of setting up Vivekananda Institute at North Kolkata along the bank.

Even a tree zone will be coming up near Fort William end with seats below the trees, so that people can enjoy the natural retreat. TNN

I was wrong. I thought the planned Rajyarani Express will go via Masagram-Raynagar route, but that route is not completed. So this train will go by the old route i.e. via Kharhgapur-Medinipur.

Kolkata riverfront to turn into cultural zone

In a bid to give a facelift to the Kolkata riverfront, Mamata Banerjee has asked Rites, a central agency, to submit a detailed report for setting up some of the elegant structures -- Kolkata Tower, Kolkata Gateway, city heritage museum and Kolkata mayor's office -- between Babughat and Fairlie Place.

The chief minister has plans to set up a heritage culture zone along the river bank. For implementation of the plan, Rites has suggested removal of the Babughat bus stand. Moreover, the agency wants to pull down the walls along the bank as it obstructs a full view of the river. Rites suggested an underground track in between Princep Ghat and Bagbazar for circular railway.

If things go according to the plan, there will be places for meditation apart from a number of cafeterias, food joints and parks along the 12 km river bank. The ferry ghats will get a new look with decorated sheds and special seats for passengers. Even special ferry services will be introduced to encourage people to make trips along the river.

A permanent fair ground between Babughat and Eden Gardens is also being thought of. Mamata wants a permanent art gallery for artists and artisans and In this cultural heritage zone all forms of Bengal art will be on display ranging from Pot to Dokra along with shops selling curios, gifts and handloom products. The CM wants to hard sell the riverfront to tourists.

A literary square around Bankim Chandra Chatterjee's statue in Babughat. In line with the London Eye, Kolkata Eye, a giant Ferris wheel, will be set up so that the visitors can get a glimpse of the metropolis and of the river below from rotating capsules.

A mini convention centre is being planned at BBD Bag railway station. Rites wants to set up multifunction centres at all the six railway stations of circular railways along the bank to house commercial centres, along with entertainment and hospitality facilities.

The existing heritage buildings in the riverfront will exist and will be decorated, but the old dilapidated buildings will be demolished. Even some of the warehouses will be there keeping the old heritage structure, but most warehouses are likely to be removed from the area.

Fairlie Place will be housing museum, gallery and an auditorium.

Along the river bank, there will be an amphitheatre, a community centre (over Shovabazar station) and the ghats at Kashi Mitra, Kumartuli and Beniatola will be specially dotted with barges where musical programmes can also take place. There will be continuous walking paths along the riverfront between Princep Ghat to Burrabazar for morning walkers. In North Kolkata, Bagbazar will be specially redesigned. The minister is also in favour of setting up Vivekananda Institute at North Kolkata along the bank.

Even a tree zone will be coming up near Fort William end with seats below the trees, so that people can enjoy the natural retreat. TNN

Sounds really existing and Optimistic . Hope this will be implemented in true spirits and funds will not be a problem.

Kolkata to Haldia in less than an hour
NEED FOR SPEED SPURS TWIN PROJECTS: FAST TRACK TO HALDIA, 40 ‘ARC ROAD’ TO BARASAT

Haldia may finally get the boost it needs to realize its full potential as an industrial and business hub. More than two decades after Haldia Petrochemicals set up shop, the sea-port town is likely to get the first bullet traintype corridor in the country.
Lalu Prasad had first proposed running India's version of 'bullet trains' in his last railway budget in 2009. The people called it a pipe-dream. When Mamata Banerjee became railways minister, she revived the proposal and announced that pre-feasibility studies would be carried out for six high-speed corridors. The then Bengal government had agreed to bear 50% cost of the pre-feasibility study for a high speed route between Kolkata (Howrah or Sealdah) and Haldia.
Now, Mamata, in her capacity as chief minister of West Bengal, has gone a step further. She has given railway consultancy body RITES the go-ahead to carry out a study on an elevated corridor to Haldia. This 'tracks on stilts' will do away with the need to acquire large tracts of land and will also cut the distance between the state capital and Haldia - which was proposed to be the largest business hub in Bengal - by nearly half.
"The former state government had made attempts to develop Haldia into the most important business destination in Bengal. But one of the main impediments was the lack of proper connectivity. Even today, it takes nearly two and a half hours to travel to Haldia by road or rail. No investor would feel confident if it takes so long to cover a distance of 135 km. Mamata, immediately after taking over as chief minister, turned her attention to Haldia and resumed attempts to develop it into a sought after destination for investors. For this, connectivity has to be improved. While work on the national highway between Mecheda and Haldia has resumed, the chief minister also wants a high-speed rail corridor between the two cities," an official said.
She has asked RITES to explore the prospect of connecting Haldia through an elevated corridor from both Howrah and Sealdah. Officials are already trying to find out how much compensation would have to be paid to farmers and other landowners if pillars (for the elevated corridor) were to be erected on their land. Howrah already has a rail connection to Haldia via Panskura. The elevated corridor would not have to follow this alignment though and could take a more direct route. Officials believe that the distance between the two cities could be cut down to about 80-90 km. A high-speed train, running along a dedicated corridor, could cover this distance in less than an hour. The idea is to get people to commute to Haldia from Kolkata in a jiffy.
"The connection from Sealdah would be shorter and it could link-up with the proposed bridge between Raichak and Kukrahati. Even from Howrah, the elevated corridor would not have to go up to Panskura but could turn towards Haldia after crossing the Rupnarayan at Kolaghat," the official said.
One of the main concerns would be the exorbitant cost involved. According to officials, every km of elevated track costs nearly Rs 25 crore. This could send the project expense spiraling to over Rs 2,000 crore. Sources close to Mamata, however, said that the chief minister is confident that the railways can look forward to private participation. TNN

^^

http://img828.imageshack.us/img828/9716/bulletn.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/828/bulletn.jpg/)

[COLOR="DarkGreen"]Kolkata to Haldia in less than an hour
NEED FOR SPEED SPURS TWIN PROJECTS: FAST TRACK TO HALDIA, 40 ‘ARC ROAD’ TO BARASAT


Why they need bullet trains both from Howrah & Sealdah ? As per the map..the distance between Sealdah & Haldia seem to be shortest .. so they should eye only for this !!! This can be a prototype for introduction of bullet trains...if its a success .. they can introduce it gradually throughout the country !!!

According to a source from Sangbad Pratidin , Mamata is set to inaugurate some projects as CM which she announced as RM tomorrow. The plans are as follows :

~ Inauguration of new ticketing system. Dunno whether its for testing purpose or final clearance.
~ A museum @ Tollygunge station complex .
~ 6 automated ticket vending machine(no idea about this)
~ Escalator @ Howrah station.
~ 6 new EMU locals (1 pair each of Sealdah-Bongaon,Sealdah-Dankuni,Shantipur-Ranaghat-Bongaon.

Also the projects of laying new lines are also going on in a very fast pace !!!

Why they need bullet trains both from Howrah & Sealdah ? As per the map..the distance between Sealdah & Haldia seem to be shortest .. so they should eye only for this !!! This can be a prototype for introduction of bullet trains...if its a success .. they can introduce it gradually throughout the country !!!

I think, it is only in proposal phase. One of them will be finalized in future. The link from Howrah is considered here, as they may have some comfortability(land aquisition issue) with the existing rail\road links.

I think, it is only in proposal phase. One of them will be finalized in future. The link from Howrah is considered here, as they may have some comfortability(land aquisition issue) with the existing rail\road links.

But they also told that it will not follow the present route so there will be some problems for land aquisition !!!

^^

Let's see....what happens

http://img32.imageshack.us/img32/7263/07072011007001.jpg

http://epaper.hindustantimes.com/Publications/HT/HKL/2011/07/07/article/017/07_07_2011_017_018.jpg

http://epaper.hindustantimes.com/PUBLICATIONS/HT/HKL/2011/07/08/Article//004/08_07_2011_004_034.jpg

http://epaper.hindustantimes.com/Publications/HT/HKL/2011/07/08/article/007/08_07_2011_007_031.jpg

In the current suburban timetable, the following new trains have added:-

31393 Shialdaha – Kalyani local (first time, this train will not go Kalyani Simanta)
30145 Binay Badal Dinesh Bag – Krishnanagar local
31391 Shialdaha – Barrackpur local
31581 Shialdaha – Krishnanagar local (it will start after opening Shantipur-Krishnanagar BG line)
31929 Shialdaha – Gede local
33861 Shialdaha – Bangaon local
33533 Shialdaha – Hasnabad local
33593 Shialdaha – Basirhat local
33863 Shialdaha – Thakurnagar local (first time)
33752 Bangaon – Shantipur local
32249 Shialdaha – Dankuni local
34858 Shialdaha – Diamondharbour local
34554 Shialdaha – Canning local
34434 Shialdaha – Sonarpur local
34794 Shialdaha – Namkhana local
34166 Shialdaha – Bajbaj local
37657 Haorha – Memari local
37355 Haorha – Tarakeshwar local
37855 Haorha – Barddhaman local (via Bandel)
37857 Haorha – Barddhaman local (it will stop only on Bandel)
37397 Haorha – Singur local
38821 Haorha – Kolaghat local (first time)

** Introduction of new EMU trains on SER is significantly low, but there will be some MEMU trains, which may be go towards Belda/Jharhgram/Medinipur and far away.

The Indian Railways for the last several years didn't show the courtesy of inviting West Bengal's chief minister to various inauguration projects in West Bengal. Sometimes it would send last minute invitation cards to the transport minister so that he could not attend.

So what happened now? Have the Indian Railway officials suddenly learnt to be polite and invite West Bengal's chief minister to various inaugarations?

:lol:

And what do Sandhya Roy, Rachana Bannerjee and Amala Shankar have to do with such inaugurations? Do these guests come free of cost or they charge the railways for guest appearances?

Because former CM told that he gets cultural-shock when he is pronouncing the name of Former RM.

Because former CM told that he gets cultural-shock when he is pronouncing the name of Former RM.

Or because former RM didn't want to share the dais with former CM.

That is cheap politics of the politicians.

But Indian Railways is an Indian public sector organization. It is not the zamindari of any politician, railway minister or political party. It belongs to the public and is run by the public's money. So the adminstrators of Indian Railways should run it impartially and rise above petty politics of local satraps. Or it will continue to go down the drain. Let the Ministry of Culture handle cultural functions and hobnob with intellectuals and celebrities. It is not the job of ministry of Railways.

deleted

http://ibnlive.in.com/generalnewsfeed/news/new-section-of-eastern-railway-to-be-inaugurated-tomorrow/754370.html
New section of Eastern Railway to be inaugurated tomorrow



This isn't in West Bengal though.

^^ Deleted, I saw Asansol and ER , never thought it woudn't be in Bengal.

Head-on train collision averted

Falguni Banerjee TNN

Balagarh (Hooghly): Less than 48 hours after the Kalka Mail mishap, a crowded local and an express train came within seconds of crashing head-on at Balagarh station in Hooghly, some 66km from Kolkata, on Tuesday. It brought back memories of the horrific accident at Birbhum’s Sainthia station in July last year when two express trains collided, killing 66 passengers.
On Tuesday, the Up Bandel-Katwa EMU was standing at Balagarh station when the Hate Bazare Express from Saharsa in Bihar turned into the same track around 6.15am. There was panic all around. Vendors and commuters on the platform started screaming for the express driver to stop but the train chugged on. Dipankar Mukherjee, the motorman of the local, switched on the headlight and started blowing his horn on the warning note. Commuters scurried off the local in terror. The commotion finally got to the Hate Bazare driver, R Prasad, who pulled the brakes and the express stopped barely 600 yards from the local.
Prasad was suspended for running a red light but he insists the signal was green when he entered the loop.
Stationmaster Sarfaraz Nawaz seemed oblivious to the near-disaster. A woman commuter got off the local train and rushed into his office to find him ‘relaxing’ with the earphones of his mobile plugged into his ears, say sources. She dragged Nawaz to the platform where other commuters began to heckle him. Fearing an attack, Nawaz pulled himself away and sought shelter elsewhere. Meanwhile, another mob rushed to the Hate Bazare driver. When Prasad said he was cleared to cross the loop, the mob then moved to the cabin and wanted to know why the signal
was green.
Railway officials rushed to the spot and initiated an inquiry. Prima facie, Prasad seems to have jumped the red signal, said an official. The near-miss exposed a potential procedural flaw that was first noticed in the Sainthia accident. Some officials wondered why the ‘points’ — where a train crosses over to another track — were set towards the loop line. According to them, even if the signal is red, it is normal procedure to set the ‘points’ towards a line that has no traffic. Had this procedure been followed at Sainthia, the Uttar Banga Express would not have slammed into the rear of Vananchal Express.

http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/getimage.dll?path=TOIKM/2011/07/13/3/Img/Pc0030900.jpg

A head-on collision between the Hate Bazare Express and a local was averted with only seconds to spare when the two trains came on the same track at Balagarh station in Hooghly early on Tuesday. Terrified passengers screamed and the local driver switched on its headlights and blared the horn repeatedly as the express chugged on. It stopped barely 600 yards from disaster, reviving memories of the Sainthia accident last year when two trains collided, killing 68 people. The express driver was suspended for running a red light but he insists the signal was green | P 6

It is basically used for goods train.The link is old.This is the first time the link is going to be used for passenger trains.The line is single.

This line will be used by both SHIALDAHA-PURI DURANTA & SHALIMAR-PATNA DURANTA

^^ Deleted, I saw Asansol and ER , never thought it woudn't be in Bengal.

It means Dumka is not in WB, it is in JK, But Asansol division is in partly WB. Dumka will be connected soon from Rampurhat, which is in WB.

PRESENT STATUS OF NEW LINES IN JULY 2011 –

1) Shantipur – Krishnanagar:- This line is under guage conversion, and is a substitute route between Kalinarayanpur & Krishnanagar. I went to Krishnanagar in last February and saw the work was going on. Earth work has completed. Some masts were dumped. Former NG platform was dismantled, and 2 new BG platforms were constructed. I heard electrification has completed recently. A new Krishnanagar local is planned to run from Shialdaha via Shantipur after opening this line. I hope this line will be opened before 31/12/11.

2) Barddhaman – Katwa:- This line is also under guage conversion, and is an important link line. I went to Barddhaman in last August and saw the work was going on. Former NG platform was dismantled, and a new BG platform was constructed. I heard electrification has completed recently up to Balgona. I hope the Barddhaman – Balgona section will be opened before 31/12/11.

3) Mashagram – Roynagar:- This line is very important for linking between ER & SER. I went to Shaktigarh in April 2010 and saw the earth work was going on. Recently all Bankurha – Roynagar passengers has extended one station up to Mathnasipur. The remaining section between Mathnasipur & Masagram is now under construction. I hope the entire line will be opened before 31/12/11.

4) Murshidabad – Azimganj (NON SUBURBAN):- This line will be a very important link line, but the current status is mysterious. In last year, this line got most importance. The main obstacle was the large bridge on River Bhagirathi, which has completed recently. A passenger train between Krishnanagar & New Farakka via Azimganj was also planned for strart running. I went to Azimganj in last August and saw the work was going on. 2 new BG platforms were constructed. But now the future is unknown. There is a plan to open this line before 31/3/12, but I’m not sure.

5) Andal – Barabani – Sitarampur (NON SUBURBAN):- This is the only new line which has opened recently, which is a substitute route between Andal & Sitarampur avoiding Asansol. This line was active before 2001, when it was closed for refurbition. After long 10 years, it has opened. Currently 1 passenger train is going via this line to Jashidihi. I don’t know this line is electrified or not, until I’ll visit this line on early November. A branch line is u/c from Barabani to Churulia, the birthplace of Kazi Nazrul Islam.

6) Rampurhat – Dumka (JHARHKHAND) (NON SUBURBAN):- Dumka has connected by train since yesterday from Jashidihi. The remaining section between Dumka & Rampurhat is under construction. I heard this line has completed recently, and train service may be start before 31/12/11.

7) Aluabarhi Road (BIHAR) – Shiligurhi (NON SUBURBAN):- This line is also under guage conversion, and is a substitute route between Aluabarhi Road & Shiligurhi avoiding New Jalpaigurhi. This line has completed recently. 3 passenger train services were announced using this line, but still not started. I hope the entire line will be opened before 31/12/11.

8) New Kochbihar – Golakganj (ASSAM) (NON SUBURBAN):- This line will be a substitute route between New Kochbihar & Golakganj avoiding Shamuktala Road & Fakiragram. This line has also completed recently. I hope the entire line will be opened before 31/12/11.

I think Dinesh Trivedi will open most of this line as soon as possible. Line 1 & 7 are in most advanced stage.

Yes, this line has been completed back in April 2011. It was Mamata Banjerjee's Mamabari village Kusumba that had become the obstacle with a 50 meter stretch taking forever to complete (villagers wanted an underpass at a location that was a few hundred meters away from another underpass, and railways didn't want to make it). Once that got resolved around March 2011, the line got completed in April 2011.


6) Rampurhat – Dumka (JHARHKHAND) (NON SUBURBAN):- Dumka has connected by train since yesterday from Jashidihi. The remaining section between Dumka & Rampurhat is under construction. I heard this line has completed recently, and train service may be start before 31/12/11.

In the current suburban timetable, the following new trains have added:-

31393 Shialdaha – Kalyani local (first time, this train will not go Kalyani Simanta)


Ashis, a great summary! However, SDAH - KYI local is not new. Let me tell you why..

#) When the first 12 car rake was introduced in Sealdah North, one service was introduced between Kalyani and Sealdah. After months, this service was extended to Ranaghat

#) The Matribhoomi Ladies Special between KYI and DDJ was introduced ahead of Municipal Elections. Later this train got extended to Sealdah and Ranaghat on both directions.

#) Finally, since last year's railway budget, a Kalyani - Sealdah local has been announced and started. It has been running bearing the numbers 31391/31392 for about a year now.

Please keep up the good job of updating the group.

Warm regards,
Anamitra

Hindu (http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/other-states/article2230302.ece)
KOLKATA : Rail-bus project between Aluabari and Siliguri.

Railway Minister Dinesh Trivedi would also be there in the plains on July 19 to launch a rail-bus project between Aluabari and Siliguri.

THANKS FOR UPDATES TO ANAMITRA

For almost 1 decade, there was complain that why Kolkata-Haorha has only 2 express train termini? Haorha station & Shialdaha station opened before 1900. From then trains & passengers increased gradually, especially after independence & after mid sixties, but those two termini were two gateways over 100 years!!!

The sitation changed in 2000, when Shalimar station opened as the terminal of Aranyak Express. But it was only one train from Shalimar. After 6 years, 3 trains transferred from Haorha to Shalimar.

In 2007, Kolkata station opened as 4th terminal. Initially 4 trains transferred from Haorha & Shialdaha to Kolkata. After that gradually many new trains were introduced from there.

After 2009, Kolkata & especially Shalimar station got many trains. And in 2011, Santragachhi converted as the 5th terminal. In recent timetable, atleast 5 each new express trains including 1 Duranta Express is planned from Shalimar & Santragachhi.

SO, WE’VE NOW 5 TERMINI – HAORHA, SHIALDAHA, KOLKATA, SHALIMAR & SANTRAGACHHI.

Along the Hooghly

video by chandranathbiswas10

YiCFg2cncz0

http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/getimage.dll?path=TOIKM/2011/07/16/9/Img/Ad0090902.png

Hindu (http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/other-states/article2230302.ece)
KOLKATA : Rail-bus project between Aluabari and Siliguri.

What's a Railbus??....bus running on rail lines??

The Indian Railways for the last several years didn't show the courtesy of inviting West Bengal's chief minister to various inauguration projects in West Bengal. Sometimes it would send last minute invitation cards to the transport minister so that he could not attend.

So what happened now? Have the Indian Railway officials suddenly learnt to be polite and invite West Bengal's chief minister to various inaugarations?

:lol:

And what do Sandhya Roy, Rachana Bannerjee and Amala Shankar have to do with such inaugurations? Do these guests come free of cost or they charge the railways for guest appearances?

^^:lol:yes, IR is improving their 'politico-culture' as opposed to their work culture. Our CM needed some cultural moral support, which could explain the presence of the culture clan. I do not think they should charge a penny for this.

http://epaper.hindustantimes.com/Publications/HT/HKL/2011/07/19/article/013/19_07_2011_013_023.jpg

http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/getimage.dll?path=TOIKM/2011/07/19/14/Img/Ad0140602.png

what is the present situation of mathnasipur-masagram railline?we thought it will be started July 2011 but we don't know when it will be finish. if anyone know about this,please share with us.

I also want to know that.

A NON-SUBURBAN UPDATE:-

The former MG line from Shiligurhi to Aluabarhi Road has converted to BG. I wrote somedays ago that this line is ready for opening. At last it happened today.

After opening, the present Shiligurhi – Katihar Passenger, which was running via New Jalpaigurhi, will now run via this new line, i.e via Bagdogra & Nakshalbarhi.

2 rail buses were also introduced in this line from today. These will run betweein Shiligurhi & Bagdogra.

3 more passenger trains will run in near future. Those are:-
a) New Jalpaigurhi – Shiligurhi – Nakshalbarhi – Aluabarhi Road – Dhumdangi – New Jalpairurhi circular rail.
b) New Jalpaigurhi – Shiligurhi – Nakshalbarhi – Aluabarhi Road – Barsoi – Royganj – Radhikapur passenger.
c) New Jalpaigurhi – Shiligurhi – Nakshalbarhi – Aluabarhi Road – Barsoi – Eklakhi – Balurghat passenger.

I hope in next ceremony in New Jalpaigurhi, Dineshbabu will start them, just like he opened a DMU carshed in Shiligurhi.

Any reason behind running MG railbus instead of a BG railbus between SGUJ and AUB?

^^ heritage and tourism purpose

I also want to know that.

A NON-SUBURBAN UPDATE:-

The former MG line from Shiligurhi to Aluabarhi Road has converted to BG. I wrote somedays ago that this line is ready for opening. At last it happened today.

After opening, the present Shiligurhi – Katihar Passenger, which was running via New Jalpaigurhi, will now run via this new line, i.e via Bagdogra & Nakshalbarhi.

2 rail buses were also introduced in this line from today. These will run betweein Shiligurhi & Bagdogra.

3 more passenger trains will run in near future. Those are:-
a) New Jalpaigurhi – Shiligurhi – Nakshalbarhi – Aluabarhi Road – Dhumdangi – New Jalpairurhi circular rail.
b) New Jalpaigurhi – Shiligurhi – Nakshalbarhi – Aluabarhi Road – Barsoi – Royganj – Radhikapur passenger.
c) New Jalpaigurhi – Shiligurhi – Nakshalbarhi – Aluabarhi Road – Barsoi – Eklakhi – Balurghat passenger.

I hope in next ceremony in New Jalpaigurhi, Dineshbabu will start them, just like he opened a DMU carshed in Shiligurhi.

What about running express trains in this route?

http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/getimage.dll?path=TOIKM/2011/07/19/14/Img/Ad0140602.png

Check my post in the Siliguri thread or the Railways pictures thread.

http://epaper.hindustantimes.com/Publications/HT/HKL/2011/07/19/article/013/19_07_2011_013_023.jpg

BTW the Indian Railways didn't invite West Bengal's chief minister to any functions for past several years. They did not spend public money on putting full size photos of West Bengal's chief minister with a passport size photo of the Indian Railway minister earlier.

It is this politicization of a public Organization that has made Indian Railways an extension of a political party.

^^ heritage and tourism purpose

How does an MG railbus contribute to heritage and tourism? A BG rail bus could do the same job! This route required a lot of BG passengers and a few expresses to cater to Nepal bound passengers..

^^ Ask Mamata Baneerjee and Dinesh Trivedi. They will tell you.

^^ Ask Mamata Baneerjee and Dinesh Trivedi. They will tell you.

Dinesh Trivedi won't know. He will have to ask Didi.

A local correspondent reported that Deshpran - Nandigram line is being constructed at a brisk pace. This line is getting electrified, too.

Really good news!!! Nandigram line is constructing with electrification !!

I read in last rail budget that this line will be opened before July '12.

What about running express trains in this route?

I suggest Darjiling Mail should be diverted via this new route for avoiding New Jalpaigurhi. May be some express train will use this line soon.

Are Shiligurhi - Bagdogra section is dual gauge? Other wise how both BG & MG trains could run On this route?

I will go to Shiligurhi in early November for riding this line.

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=1404966

This international thread was created by me. All can post as much as possible about Kolkata’s tram & metro, for informing the world about our great systems, and for improving & surviving. THIS IS A GREAT CHANCE.

I suggest Darjiling Mail should be diverted via this new route for avoiding New Jalpaigurhi. May be some express train will use this line soon.

Are Shiligurhi - Bagdogra section is dual gauge? Other wise how both BG & MG trains could run On this route?

I will go to Shiligurhi in early November for riding this line.


I was expecting PAdatik, PAharia & few other weeklies from NJP getting diverted. To start with Padatik is the best choice.

photo copyright Avik Bannerjee (http://www.panoramio.com/photo/56380262)

Princep Ghat Station

http://img717.imageshack.us/img717/9015/princepghatavikbannerje.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/717/princepghatavikbannerje.jpg/)

Khidirpur Station

http://img855.imageshack.us/img855/7751/khiddrirpurstationavik.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/855/khiddrirpurstationavik.jpg/)

In the above what does this logo represents ?

http://img849.imageshack.us/img849/9384/signnn.png

I always thought that these logo were used for mumbai local trains .i.e trains run under MRVC. If this is true why this logo is used on the circular railway ?

In the above what does this logo represents ?

http://img849.imageshack.us/img849/9384/signnn.png

I always thought that these logo were used for mumbai local trains .i.e trains run under MRVC. If this is true why this logo is used on the circular railway ?

Maybe Ashis will know.

photos copyright Prosenjit Malik (http://www.panoramio.com/photo/56364625)

Lake Gardens Station

http://img13.imageshack.us/img13/9141/lakegardenstationprosen.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/13/lakegardenstationprosen.jpg/)

Bhadreswar Station

http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/3467/bhadreshwarprosenjit.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/20/bhadreshwarprosenjit.jpg/)

Mankundu Station

http://img36.imageshack.us/img36/15/mankunduprosenjit.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/36/mankunduprosenjit.jpg/)

Shrirampur Station

http://img231.imageshack.us/img231/3153/shrirampurprosemnjit.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/231/shrirampurprosemnjit.jpg/)

Cross posting from other thread !!

http://news.in.msn.com/international/article.aspx?cp-documentid=5330215
India to consider onboard immigration on Dhaka-Kolkata train

Dhaka, Jul 30 (PTI) India will actively consider a proposal from Bangladesh to introduce onboard immigration service on Dhaka-Kolkata direct train service for passengers comforts, Home Minister P Chidambaram said today.

"It is technically feasible and Delhi will consider the matter actively," a government spokesman told newsmen quoting Chidambaram after he made a courtesy call on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

He said the Indian minister''s comments came as Hasina gave the proposal for the onboard immigration inside Moitree Train amid reports that the service was losing popularity because of time-consuming immigration formalities on the borders.

The spokesman said during the meeting, they discussed various issues of bilateral interest including expansion of trade and business between the two neighbouring countries.

Hasina also emphasised on further boosting regional cooperation in rooting out terrorism and militancy for the betterment of the people in the region.

She also sought more Indian investment in Bangladesh.

The Prime minister requested the Indian government to remove various trade barriers including complexity over customs formalities in larger interest of the national economy," the spokesman said.

Source:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata-/Train-stranded-on-flooded-tracks/articleshow/9511020.cms
Train stranded on flooded tracks
Jayanta, TNN | Aug 7, 2011, 04.32AM IST

KOLKATA: A sudden surge in the Hooghly on Saturday led to flooding of the Circular Railway tracks, stopping a train during the morning rush hours and stranding around 100 commuters inside.

The train went under nearly 50 cm of water. The passengers, including women, suffered inside the compartments for over four hours between Burrabazar and BBD Bag stations as officials at the Writers' Buildings were busy paying tribute to Tagore. Help came only after 3 pm.

Trouble started soon after 10.30 am when the Prinsep Ghat-bound EMU local from Barrackpore left Burrabazar station. There was 10 cm of water on the tracks then. By the time it neared the home signal of the BBD Bag station around 11 am, the water level on the tracks had risen to 40 cm. According to Eastern Railway officials, there was a sudden surge of water from the Hooghly and the mechanism that controls the level crossing gate at BBD Bag failed. As the barriers couldn't be lowered, the home signal remained red, forcing the motorman to stop his train and watch as the water rose steadily. By 11.30 am, the water level was 50 cm and the local train's motors had been swamped.

While the first priority for the railways should have been to evacuate the passengers from all the coaches, a futile attempt was made to pull the train out of the mess with the help of a diesel locomotive from Chitpore. The locomotive couldn't reach the local train though, as engineers felt that it would get stranded in the water as well. It was only after 2 pm that ER informed the Kolkata Police and the fire department. It was only after 3 pm that firefighters used their ladders and two wooden ones belonging to the railways, to evacuate the passengers.

This line was originally a goods line, which has converted to passenger service in 1984. At the time of electrification in 2003, the trackbed was lowered below Rabindra Setu due to making space of overhead wire. Since then, it is a problem going on by water clogging of track at the time of heavy shower & high tide.

From HT

http://epaper.hindustantimes.com/Publications/HT/HKL/2011/08/07/photographs/001/07_08_2011_001_014_002.jpg

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6030/5964857692_162284508e.jpg
CC:vivian_boye
:banana:

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6030/5964857692_162284508e.jpg
CC:vivian_boye
:banana:

I learned that the poles have been erected in the entire Tamluk - Digha section. Platforms are also being raised for accommodating EMU trains.

How many platforms are there in Digha ? and it looks like a terminal station.

How many platforms are there in Digha ? and it looks like a terminal station.

Yes Digha is a terminal station just a KM away from the sea..