Dipu Ghosh Krida Sadan: Eastern Railway opens modern badminton facility in Howrah
Synopsis
Eastern Railway has named a brand-new, internationally-specced badminton complex after Dipu Ghosh — a seven-time national champion who reached every doubles final from 1963 to 1970 and later coached both Iran and India. At 84, Ghosh finally has a facility bearing his name, and it comes with accessible features for differently abled players — a rarity in Indian railway sports infrastructure.
Key Takeaways
Eastern Railway inaugurated the Dipu Ghosh Krida Sadan at the C&W Workshop, Liluah, Howrah on 27 July 2025 .
Dipu Ghosh , now 84 , is a seven-time national badminton champion , with five doubles titles won alongside brother Raman Ghosh .
The Ghosh brothers reached every doubles final between 1963 and 1970 and competed in the Thomas Cup .
Ghosh later coached the Iranian team (1974 Asian Games) and the Indian team (1982 Asiad) .
The facility is built to international standards and includes assistive devices for differently abled (Divyangjan) players.
ER General Manager Milind Deouskar inaugurated the complex; CPRO Shibram Majhi called it 'a monumental step' in employee well-being.
Eastern Railway (ER) inaugurated a state-of-the-art badminton complex — the Dipu Ghosh Krida Sadan — at the Carriage & Wagon (C&W) Workshop in Liluah, Howrah, on Monday, 27 July 2025, giving West Bengal a world-class indoor sports facility built to international standards. The complex was unveiled by ER General Manager Milind Deouskar, accompanied by his wife and ER Women's Welfare Organisation president Seema Deouskar.
A Legend Honoured
The facility takes its name from Dipu Ghosh, one of India's most decorated badminton players of the post-Independence era. Now 84 years old, Ghosh is a seven-time national champion — five of those titles won in doubles alongside his brother Raman Ghosh. The Ghosh brothers were a dominant force on the national circuit, reaching every doubles final between 1963 and 1970 and performing with distinction at the Thomas Cup.
Ghosh spent his entire playing career with Eastern Railway, serving the organisation until 1973. His contributions extended beyond the court: he went on to coach the Iranian national side ahead of the 1974 Asian Games and later guided the Indian team in the build-up to the 1982 Asiad in New Delhi. He sought voluntary retirement from the railways in 1990. Eastern Railway described the naming as a tribute intended to 'ignite dedication, discipline and sportsmanship across generations of railway sportspersons.'
What the Facility Offers
Built to international specifications, the new complex features a professional playing surface, an advanced lighting system, modern amenities, and purpose-designed interiors suited to recreational play, professional coaching, and competitive matches. Notably, the facility has been equipped with special assistive devices and accessible features to enable differently abled persons — referred to as Divyangjans — to participate with full confidence and dignity, making it one of the more inclusive sports venues in the region.
What the Railway Said
Addressing the gathering, General Manager Milind Deouskar underscored that sports form an essential pillar of employee welfare and organisational excellence, contributing to physical fitness, mental well-being, teamwork, and overall productivity. He praised CWM Yatish Kumar and the Liluah Workshop team for their leadership in delivering the project.
Shibram Majhi, Chief Public Relations Officer of Eastern Railway, described the inauguration as 'a monumental step in our commitment to employee well-being, fostering a vibrant sports culture while ensuring that every member of the Eastern Railway family, including women, youth and Divyangjans, has access to world-class, inclusive opportunities.'
Broader Significance
The facility adds to a growing push by Indian Railways to invest in employee welfare infrastructure across its workshop towns. Liluah, a historically significant railway township in Howrah, now hosts a venue that could serve competitive badminton at the zonal and national levels. Whether the complex will be opened to the wider community beyond railway employees has not been specified. All eyes will be on how the facility is utilised in the upcoming railway sports calendar.
Point of View
Or becomes another well-appointed facility that sees limited competitive use. Eastern Railway's record on sustaining sports programmes beyond inauguration day will determine which it turns out to be.
NationPress
28 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Dipu Ghosh Krida Sadan?
The Dipu Ghosh Krida Sadan is a modern badminton complex inaugurated by Eastern Railway on 27 July 2025 at the Carriage & Wagon Workshop in Liluah, Howrah. It is named after legendary Indian badminton player Dipu Ghosh and built to international standards with inclusive features for differently abled players.
Who is Dipu Ghosh and why is the facility named after him?
Dipu Ghosh is an 84-year-old former Indian badminton champion who won seven national titles — five in doubles with his brother Raman Ghosh — and reached every doubles final between 1963 and 1970. He also coached the Iranian team for the 1974 Asian Games and the Indian team ahead of the 1982 Asiad, making him one of India's most accomplished badminton figures of his era.
Where exactly is the Dipu Ghosh Krida Sadan located?
The facility is located at the Carriage & Wagon (C&W) Workshop in Liluah, Howrah, West Bengal. It was built and is operated by Eastern Railway.
What facilities does the Dipu Ghosh Krida Sadan offer?
The complex features a professional playing surface, an advanced lighting system, modern amenities, and interiors designed for recreational play, professional coaching, and competitive matches. It also includes special assistive devices and accessible features for differently abled (Divyangjan) players.
Who inaugurated the Dipu Ghosh Krida Sadan?
Eastern Railway General Manager Milind Deouskar inaugurated the facility on 27 July 2025, accompanied by his wife Seema Deouskar, who is president of the ER Women's Welfare Organisation.
