BJP MP Anurag Thakur on Saturday, June 6, 2026, flagged off the Gurumukhi Superfast Express from Amb-Andaura station in Himachal Pradesh, inaugurating a new long-distance rail link connecting the hill state to Kolkata, West Bengal, in the presence of dignitaries and senior railway officials.

Context

Thakur, the Lok Sabha MP from Hamirpur, announced the development on X, describing the day as 'atyant mahatvapurna' (extremely significant) for rail connectivity in 'Devbhoomi Himachal' — the land of the gods. He personally waved the green flag to dispatch the train from Amb-Andaura, a key railhead in Una district, toward its destination in Kolkata.

In his post, Thakur expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, calling the new service 'a major gift from the Modi government for the people of Himachal Pradesh.'

Policy Backdrop

Himachal Pradesh has historically faced severe rail under-connectivity owing to its mountainous terrain. Since 2014, successive railway budgets under the Modi government have prioritised extending long-distance express services to Himalayan and hill states, seeking to integrate them with major metros in eastern and western India.

The Amb-Andaura station has been positioned as a critical gateway for Himachal's rail network, given its relatively accessible location compared to the state's interior. The addition of a direct superfast service to Kolkata — one of India's largest cities and commercial hubs — represents a significant expansion of the station's connectivity footprint.

Stakeholders and Impact

Thakur highlighted that the new rail service would benefit traders, examination aspirants, working professionals, and general passengers from Himachal Pradesh. Direct connectivity to Kolkata opens access to employment and educational opportunities in eastern India without the need for multiple train changes.

The MP also noted that the service would accelerate economic and social development of the region, calling it 'a milestone' for the area. Traders stand to gain from faster movement of goods and reduced logistics time between the hill state and Bengal's commercial networks.

What's Next

Passenger uptake and utilisation data over the coming months will be a key indicator of the service's impact. Rail advocates and local representatives in Himachal are likely to push for further route extensions and additional train services from Amb-Andaura and other stations in future railway budget announcements. The inauguration could also set a precedent for similar long-distance links from other underserved stations in the state.