Railway Board Chairman reviews Bengal projects, stresses better passenger amenities
Kolkata, June 14
In a push towards providing better amenities to passengers, Railway Board Chairman and CEO Satish Kumar conducted a comprehensive inspection of the Tarakeswar-Seoraphuli section of Eastern Railway on Sunday. He also inspected the Tarakeswar and Seoraphuli stations and discussed key strategies to improve passenger services.
Work is already under way to extend this section up to Bankura. Work on only a small stretch has been held up because of legal issues. Once completed, the project will provide a shorter route from Howrah to the southern districts of Bankura and Purulia.
"He was accompanied by senior officials from the Railway Board, ER and South Eastern Railway (SER). The visit was aimed at strengthening railway infrastructure and accelerating socio-economic development in West Bengal," an ER official said.
"The Chairman reviewed passenger management arrangements and operational aspects of the section to ensure smooth train operations and enhanced passenger convenience. He also held detailed discussions with railway officials on measures to improve service quality and operational efficiency," the official added.
Kumar also chaired a coordination meeting at Tarakeswar with the District Magistrate of Hooghly and senior officials of the Public Works Department (PWD), Government of West Bengal, in an effort to expedite key infrastructure projects.
The meeting focused on strengthening coordination between the Railways and the state government for the timely execution of ongoing and upcoming railway projects in the region.
The Chairman also emphasised the importance of completing infrastructure projects within stipulated timelines, highlighting their role in improving connectivity, boosting economic growth and enhancing passenger amenities.
Kumar also conducted a window-trailing inspection from Tarakeswar to Howrah.
During the inspection, he closely examined track alignment, overhead equipment (OHE), signalling installations and the overall cleanliness and upkeep of railway premises.
He then carried out a detailed inspection of the Howrah station complex, including the station building and circulating areas.
"He issued several directives aimed at improving passenger amenities, traffic circulation and station aesthetics. He advised covering platform areas with transparent roofing sheets to maximise natural light, optimising holding areas for better crowd management and creating dedicated entry and exit points for smoother passenger movement. He also emphasised improving connectivity between the station and the Metro network through streamlined access routes," the official said.
Kumar also directed comprehensive renovation and aesthetic enhancement of the historic station building, optimisation of parcel loading and unloading areas, and installation of prominent platform indication signage at station entry points to facilitate easier navigation for passengers.22:00 14-06-2026.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Nice to see the Railways coordinating with state government on infrastructure. The idea of transparent roofing at Howrah station to maximize natural light is actually smart - saves electricity and looks better. Just hope these aren't just photo-op announcements. Let's see the execution.
I travel from Tarakeswar to Howrah daily and this section desperately needs better crowd management. The holding areas are chaotic during peak hours. Appreciate that the Chairman reviewed these issues firsthand - especially the dedicated entry and exit points. Hope they also fix the outdated signalling which causes delays. 🙏
Indian Railways is finally waking up to passenger amenities! The Howrah station renovation has been pending for years. But my only concern is - will the historic building's aesthetic be preserved while making it modern? That station is a heritage structure, not just any building. Also, please do something about the waterlogged platforms during monsoon. 🤔
The coordination meeting with District Magistrate is a welcome move but the real challenge is land acquisition for the Bankura extension. Legal issues have held up a small stretch - if they can't resolve that quickly, all these inspections are just optics. Also, seriously need better signages at Howrah - it's a maze for first-time travelers.
Good initiative but I've seen many such high-level inspections yield no ground-level change. The window-trailing inspection from Tarakeswar to Howrah must have revealed the dilapidated state of tracks at many spots. Instead of directives, the Board should ensure accountable timelines. India's railway infrastructure needs sustained attention, not just occasional visits.
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