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COMMEMORATING GLORIOUS 40 YEARS OF PASSENGER SERVICE OF CHAKRA RAIL
Kolkata, September 19, 2024
Railways is one of the most reliable mode of transportation in Kolkata especially it’s lifeline for North and South Suburbans of the city of Joy. Chakra Rail ( Circular Rail) of Sealdah Division has completed the acclaimed 40 years of passenger operation. It’s a vital component of Kolkata Metropolitan Railway system that has a rich history of more than 170 years. The concept of Circular Railway line in Calcutta (Kolkata) was first conceived in the late 19th century. With the growing population & increasing urban sprawl, it was transpired that, some more efficient transportation system needs to connect the suburbs with the heart of the city.
The construction of Circular Railway was proposed in the 1950s. The project was undertaken by Eastern Railway to make the Circular Railway line ready to serve the industrial area around Kolkata and to decongest the city’s main Railway system. The operations over Circular Railway network started in the year 1984.
Initially the Circular Railway got lukewarm response from commuters as it was a single line served by diesel hauled wooden rakes with very few services and since the circular loop was not fully completed. The signalling system over Circular Railway also gradually evolved from Train Staff & Ticket System to modern interlocking with colour light signals.The Circular Railway track down the ages has also been improved with electrification of the entire network. Now its seamless movement of EMU locals over Circular Railway loop has resulted in substantial increase of passengers. At present over 65000 passengers are availing the Circular Railway journey every day with a total of 27 local trains running in Dum Dum Jn., Tala, Majerhat, Ballygunge route and 13 in Dum Dum Jn., Bidhannagar Road, Sir Gurudas Banerjee Halt, Park Circus, Ballygunge route completing the entire Circular Railway loop encompassing the central business area of Kolkata city.
With over 200% increase in number of passenger in Circular Railway over the last decade, Circular Railway passenger service has completed 40 glorious years. Eastern Railway is ready to commemorate the 40 glorious years of passenger operation on the Kolkata Circular Railway with a commemorative run of EMU special train from Kolkata station in the morning of 21.09.2024 followed by a Swachh Bharat Cultural Fest & Photo Exhibition at Prinsep Ghat station on arrival of the EMU special to mark this auspicious occasion. Come one, come all…. let’s be part of the commemoration of historic milestone.
