Railway Projects and Services in West Bengal: Recent Developments and Future Plans

Recent efforts in West Bengal focus on improving railway infrastructure and services to benefit residents, workers, and industries. Several new projects and improvements have been inaugurated or announced in the past year, aiming to make travel easier and support economic growth. In February 2026, the Union Minister for Railways, Ashwini Vaishnaw, officially inaugurated two important railway structures in Asansol. These are the Suri Road Over Bridge, or ROB, and the Kumarpur ROB. The inauguration was done through video conferencing. These bridges are expected to reduce travel time and congestion in the area, making daily travel smoother for local residents, students, and workers. Along with these structures, the minister also flagged off a new train service between Asansol and Bokaro Steel City. This new train is expected to help thousands of people who commute regularly for work and trade between West Bengal and Jharkhand. It will improve regional connectivity and support local industries. The Kumarpur ROB has an important role, as it links central Asansol, West Burdwan, and Jharkhand. This connection is vital for both trade and transportation, helping reduce traffic congestion in the busy industrial belt. It also aims to make movement of goods and people faster and easier. The new train service from Asansol to Bokaro is designed particularly to benefit industrial workers and daily commuters, encouraging economic activities and strengthening the connection between the two states. Such services help support local industries and improve employment opportunities. There are also plans to invest heavily in railway projects across West Bengal. In 2024, the railway minister announced a big investment of 60,000 crore rupees. This investment aims to support 61 pending projects that have not yet started or are delayed because of issues like land acquisition. The projects are crucial for expanding and modernizing the railway network. As of December 2024, work on 43 railway projects was underway in West Bengal. These projects cover a total of 4,479 kilometers of railway lines. Up to March 2024, about 1,655 kilometers of railway lines in the state had been completed, with an investment of around 20,434 crore rupees. These figures show ongoing efforts to improve railway services. However, progress has faced some challenges. In September 2023, the railway minister explained that at least 61 railway projects in West Bengal were stalled. The main reason for these delays was the non-availability of land needed for the construction. Addressing land issues is a priority for completing these projects. In addition to infrastructure projects, there have been recent improvements in station facilities. In December 2024, railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw inaugurated a new east-side station building at Cuttack railway station. This upgrade aims to improve services and comfort for travelers on the popular Howrah-Chennai route. Similarly, a foot-over bridge was opened at Balasore railway station to help passengers cross safely and easily. There are also plans for station redevelopment, with an estimated cost of 200 crore rupees, to modernize and expand station facilities. Furthermore, in October 2024, the government approved eight new railway projects worth nearly 25,000 crore rupees. These projects will benefit 14 districts across seven states, including West Bengal. Such projects aim to enhance railway connectivity and support regional development. In July 2025, additional approval was given for four major multitracking projects. These projects will add 574 kilometers of railway lines across six states, including West Bengal. Expanding railway lines helps reduce congestion and improves train speed and frequency. Earlier, in January 2024, the railway minister also inaugurated a new 18-kilometer railway line between Gopinathpur Nilgiri and Balasore. A new train service, operating three times a day, was also flagged off to increase travel options for passengers. In recent months, several high-tech train services started operating. In September 2024, the Prime Minister virtually inaugurated the Howrah-Gaya Vande Bharat Express, connecting Kolkata with Gaya in Bihar. This high-speed train significantly reduces travel time and provides passengers with a faster, more comfortable journey. Overall, these developments show a strong focus on modernizing and expanding railway infrastructure in West Bengal. The government aims to improve regional connectivity, ease congestion, and support economic growth. While some projects face delays due to land issues, ongoing work and new investments continue to shape the future of railway transportation in the state.