Katihar: Katihar residents will benefit from a series of new train services starting this weekend, the Indian Railways announced. From January 17, several Amrit Bharat Express trains will begin operations, connecting the district to major cities across India.
Train 06224 will run from Barsoi Junction to Radhikapur and onward to Bengaluru, while the 01032 Amrit Bharat Express will connect Siliguri to Panvel, with an approved stop at Katihar. Other services include the 02603 from Rangapani to Nagercoil, the 02609 from New Jalpaiguri to Tiruchirappalli, and the 06598 from Alipurduar Junction to Bengaluru Junction.
On January 18, the 05671 Amrit Bharat Express from Kamakhya Junction to Rohtak Junction will depart from Katihar Junction at 10:30 pm. Member of Parliament Tariq Anwar is scheduled to flag off these services.
Speaking on the new services, District Congress spokesperson Pankaj Kumar Tamakhwala said: “Thanks to the efforts of our MP, these trains have been approved for Katihar and Barsoi. Residents are grateful to Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw for facilitating this development.”
New Jalpaiguri station, part of the Katihar railway division, is being developed as a modern rail gateway for Northeast India with an investment of approximately Rs 335 crore, while Santragachi station is being upgraded as a multi-modal hub at a cost of Rs 380 crore to reduce congestion along the Howrah-Kolkata corridor.
Indian Railways under Prime Minister Narendra Modi has focused on infrastructure-led development in eastern India. Chief Public Relations Officer Kapinjal Kishore Sharma highlighted that more than 1,300 stations nationwide are undergoing redevelopment, receiving modern passenger amenities, disabled-friendly infrastructure, upgraded transport facilities, digital information systems, and architecture reflecting local heritage—ensuring efficiency while retaining regional identity.
