Santragachi-Khatipura Special Train Starts Oct 26
South Eastern Railway launches Santragachi-Khatipura special train on Oct 26, connecting West Bengal to Rajasthan via Jharkhand and UP.
The South Eastern Railway (SER) has officially announced the launch of a new train service connecting Santragachi in West Bengal to Khatipura in Rajasthan. The inaugural ceremony for this special service is scheduled for October 26, 2026, providing a vital link between the eastern and western regions of the country.
Inaugural Run and Flag-Off Details
The inaugural special train, designated as number 08181, is scheduled to depart from Santragachi at 2:00 PM on October 26. It is expected to reach its destination at Khatipura, located near Jaipur, at 11:00 PM on the third day of its journey. Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw is expected to virtually flag off the train.
The launch event will be held at Tatanagar station, with several dignitaries in attendance, including Jamshedpur MP Bidyut Baran Mahto, local MLAs, and senior railway officials such as Chakradharpur Rail Division DRM Tarun Huria. Palamu MP Bishnudayal Ram has also played a significant role in the coordination of this new service.
Weekly Schedule and Regular Service
Following the inaugural special run, the service will transition into a regular weekly schedule. The details for the upcoming weekly services are as follows:
- Train No. 18061: This service will depart from Santragachi every Wednesday at 2:15 PM and is scheduled to arrive at Khatipura at 11:00 PM the following day.
- Train No. 18062: The return leg will depart from Khatipura every Friday at 9:20 AM and arrive at Tatanagar at 3:05 PM the next day.
Note: The service has been approved for an initial period of approximately two and a half months.
Route and Key Stations
The new train service will pass through a variety of important stations, offering enhanced connectivity across West Bengal, Jharkhand, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan. The route includes:
- Kharagpur, Tatanagar, Ranchi, Chandil, Purulia, Muri, Lohardaga, Latehar, Daltonganj, Garhwa Road, Dehri On Sone, Sasaram, Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya, Mirzapur, Prayagraj, Fatehpur, Kanpur Central, Agra, Tundla, Idgah Agra Junction, Kherli, Mandawar Mahua Road, Bandikui Junction, and Dausa.
Relief for Pilgrims and Travelers
This new connectivity is expected to provide significant relief to passengers traveling from Jharkhand to Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. It is particularly useful for pilgrims intending to visit the Khatu Shyam Ji Dham, offering a more convenient travel option for devotees from the eastern states.