Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw today flagged off the Sahibganj-Howrah Intercity Express via video conferencing. This new train service will connect Sahibganj to Howrah, covering a distance of 350 kilometres in just seven hours at an affordable fare of 125 rupees. The train will operate daily and will have stoppages at Sakrigali, Tinpahar, Barharwa, Pakur, Rampurhat, Bolpur Shantiniketan, Barddhaman, and Bandel. The introduction of this train service will not only simplify travel but also enhance business opportunities and employment in the region. Mr Vaishnaw also informed that from today, the weekly Anand Vihar-Agartala Tejas Rajdhani Express now has a stoppage at Sahibganj station in Jharkhand.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Vaishnaw said that the Santhal Pargana region has a long history and has made significant contributions to the country’s struggle for independence. He mentioned that ten years ago, the railway budget allocation for Jharkhand was merely 450 crore rupees, but today it has increased to 7,300 crore rupees. The Minister informed that in the last decade, 1,200 kilometres of railway lines have been constructed, and 100 per cent electrification has been achieved in Jharkhand. Mr Vaishnaw added that an investment of 56,000 crore rupees is planned for the railway sector in Jharkhand.