Hon’ble Minister of Railways Flags Off MEMU Train No. 08121 from Purulia to Howrah via Masagram and Inspects Santragachi Station Redevelopment under Amrit Bharat Scheme
“The vision of our Hon’ble PM Narendra Modi has laid the foundation of this new Indian Railways and to make it reality, over 1.2 million members of the Indian Railways family have been working with dedication.” – Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw
New Delhi, 28th June 2025:
Marking a significant milestone in Indian Railways’ efforts to enhance regional rail connectivity and station infrastructure, Hon’ble Union Minister for Railways, Information & Broadcasting, and Electronics & Information Technology, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw along with Hon’ble Union MoS for Education, Dr. Sukanta Majumdar, Hon’ble MP from Bishnupur, Shri Saumitra Khan, Hon’ble MP from Howrah, Shri Prasun Banerjee, railway officials & citizens, visited Santragachi Railway Station today.
During the visit, the Hon’ble Railway Minister inspected Santragachi station’s redevelopment progress under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, aimed at transforming Santragachi into a modern, world-class transit hub.
Following the inspection, the Hon’ble Railway Minister Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw virtually flagged off the inaugural run of Train No. 08121 — MEMU service between Purulia and Howrah via Masagram, fulfilling demand of the region. The flag-off ceremony was joined virtually by dignitaries - Hon’ble MP from Purulia, Shri Jyotirmoy Singh Mahato; Hon’ble MLA from Purulia, Shri Sudip Kumar Mukherjee was joined from Purulia & Hon’ble MLA from Bankura, Shri Niladri Sekhar Dana; Hon’ble MLA from Chhatna, Shri Satyanarayan Mukhopadhyay; Hon’ble MLA from onda, Shri Amar Nath Shakha; Hon’ble MLA from Sonamukhi, Shri Dibakar Gharami; Hon’ble MLA from Indus, Shri Nirmal Kumar Dhara were joined from Bankura.
Highlights of the Event
- Station Inspection: Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw inspected infrastructure and passenger amenities at Santragachi Railway Station, as a part of the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme redevelopment.
- Virtual Flag-Off: MEMU Train No. 08121 flagged off via video conferencing from Santragachi Railway Station.
Speaking at the event, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw said, “This MEMU train not only restores an important rail link but also revives the spirit of the historic Bankura Damodar Railway. The people of Purulia, Bankura, and Howrah now have access to a cleaner, faster, and more affordable rail travel. This is a proud moment for all of us.” He further stated, “The vision of our Hon’ble PM Narendra Modi has laid the foundation of this new Indian Railways and make it reality, over 1.2 million members of the Indian Railways family have been working with dedication. He also remarked, “Areas that once had miles to go have now witnessed rapid progress. In West Bengal alone, work is underway at around 101 stations under Amrit Bharat Station Scheme at an extraordinary pace. This is not just development, this is the creation of an entirely new format of Indian Railways. A new age is being crafted — with modern stations replacing those that are 50-60 years old. People today aspire for quality & for better experiences.”
About the New MEMU Service (Train No. 08121)
- Route: Purulia – Bankura – Masagram – Howrah
- Total Distance: 283 km
- Fare: ₹60 (compared to ₹65 via the Kharagpur route)
- Time Savings: 41 km reduction in distance
This MEMU service enhances east-west mobility within West Bengal state and provides a faster, cost-effective route for thousands of daily commuters, including office-goers, students, and traders.
Historical and Strategic Significance
- Legacy: The route revives the legacy of the Bankura Damodar Railway, first launched in 1916, which was converted to Broad Gauge in 2005 and extended to Masagram by 2012.
- Infrastructure: Electrification completed in 2021, paving the way for efficient train services.
- Connectivity Boost: Masagram serves as a junction integrating South Eastern Railway’s Bankura–Masagram line with Eastern Railway’s Howrah–Barddhaman chord rail line.
- Regional Impact: Expected to improve access, boost tourism, and facilitate industrial and economic growth across Purulia, Bankura, Hooghly, and Howrah districts.
Indian Railways continues to prioritize citizen-centric development and connectivity solutions, ensuring that growth and mobility reach every corner of the country.
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