Tatanagar-Khatipura Express Launched: New Route to Rajasthan
South Eastern Railway launches Tatanagar-Khatipura and Santragachi-Khatipura special trains, connecting Jharkhand to Rajasthan.
The South Eastern Railway has officially inaugurated the new Tatanagar-Khatipura Express service today, October 26, 2026. This strategic new service is designed to enhance connectivity across Jharkhand, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan.
Inaugural Special Trains and Flag-off Ceremony
The launch was marked by the departure of two inaugural special trains at 2:00 PM today. The first, Train No. 08181 (Tatanagar–Khatipura), is scheduled to arrive in Khatipura at 8:00 PM on October 27, 2026. The second, Train No. 08061 (Santragachi–Khatipura), is expected to reach its destination at 11:00 PM on October 27, 2026.
The flag-off ceremony at Tatanagar station was presided over by Jamshedpur Member of Parliament Bidyut Baran Mahato, accompanied by Chakradharpur Divisional Railway Manager Tarun Huria and other senior railway officials. Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw also participated in the event via video conferencing.
Key Stoppages and Route Connectivity
The new service provides a vital link for passengers traveling through several key states and junctions. The scheduled stoppages for the route include:
- Ranchi
- Lohardaga
- Tori
- Latehar
- Daltonganj
- Garhwa Road
- Dehri On Sone
- Sasaram
- Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction
- Prayagraj
- Kanpur Central
- Agra
- Bandikui
- Dausa
Coach Composition and Future Regular Operations
The inaugural special from Santragachi (08061) features a comprehensive 22-coach setup to cater to a wide range of passenger needs. The coach composition includes:
- General Class
- Sleeper Class
- AC Third Class
- AC Economy
- AC Second Class
- AC First Class
- Pantry Car
Looking ahead to regular operations, the Railway Board—which originally approved the service on May 6, 2026—has allocated 16 modern Linke-Hofmann-Busch (LHB) coaches. While today marks the inaugural run, the official schedule for the weekly Santragachi–Khatipura-Santragachi Express (Train No. 18061/18062) will be announced by the Railway Board at a later date.