New Rail Route to Connect Howrah, Hooghly, and Bankura: Tarakeswar-Bishnupur Project Gains Momentum

New Rail Route: Good news for Bengal! The long-awaited Tarakeswar-Bishnupur rail project is finally seeing significant progress, promising to knit together the districts of Howrah, Hooghly, and Bankura with a new railway link. Recent updates confirm that the persistent bottlenecks, especially around Bhabadighi, have been resolved, and construction work is now in full swing. This means the dream of enhanced connectivity for millions is closer to reality than ever before.

For months, the project faced hurdles, most notably a critical 600-meter stretch at Bhabadighi that had remained stalled. However, recent viral images and videos showcasing bridge construction at Bhabadighi and work resuming in other previously blocked areas have now been officially corroborated. A tripartite meeting successfully paved the way for the railway department to recommence work on this crucial segment. The completion of this 600-meter stretch, part of the 82.47-kilometer project, has brought immense relief and excitement to the local populace.

This ambitious rail project is set to significantly improve access to two prominent temple towns: Tarakeswar and Bishnupur. More importantly, it will bring Howrah much closer for residents across these regions. The railway line has already been laid between Bhabadighi (excluding the problematic 600-meter section) and Goghat, and up to Kamarpukur. Trains are currently operating from Tarakeswar to Goghat, while the CRS (Commissioner of Railway Safety) inspection has been completed for the Bishnupur to Jairambati stretch.

The railway authorities are pushing ahead with full force on the line connecting Kamarpukur and Jairambati. The Kamarpukur railway station has also been completed. Furthermore, new MEMU trains have been introduced from Howrah extending to Bankura and Purulia. Once the entire Tarakeswar-Bishnupur project is operational, it will drastically reduce travel time and improve connectivity between Bankura, Purulia, Tarakeswar, and Bishnupur.

The delay at Bhabadighi was primarily due to local residents’ demands to protect the existing pond while building the railway. Both the Kolkata High Court and the Supreme Court had advised the railway to proceed with the project while minimizing damage to Bhabadighi. The railway had argued that the project was stalled due to objections from a section of Bhabadighi residents, despite repeated outreach efforts to explain the developmental benefits. However, it is now claimed that these issues have been successfully resolved.

With all major obstacles cleared, the focus now shifts to the expedited completion of the remaining work. Residents eagerly await the day train services officially commence on this new and vital route, ushering in a new era of connectivity and convenience for millions in Bengal.

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