Eastern Railway (ER) conducted a comprehensive inspection of the Goghat–Kamarpukur–Jairambati rail section on Friday, 21 August, reviewing progress on a new line that will connect Bishnupur in Bankura district to Tarakeswar in Hooghly. Once operational, the route will slash the rail distance from Howrah to Bishnupur — famous for its Terracotta Temples — from approximately 200 km to around 140 km.

Inspection Details

Gitika Pandey, General Manager of Eastern Railway, led the field review, accompanied by Vishal Kapoor, Divisional Railway Manager (DRM), Howrah. Pandey evaluated construction progress along the new line and personally interacted with local residents at Bhabadighi in Goghat, where the project had faced significant delays.

She also inspected ongoing Amrit Bharat station development work at Tarakeswar, a separate upgrade initiative under the national station redevelopment programme.

The Bhabadighi Hurdle — and How It Was Cleared

The project hit a prolonged roadblock after villagers in Bhabadighi, Goghat, launched an agitation in 2017 opposing the filling of a local pond for rail construction. The dispute escalated to the Calcutta High Court, which ruled in Eastern Railway's favour in 2025. Land acquisition challenges, however, persisted beyond the verdict.

Eastern Railway is now constructing a bridge across the pond as a resolution, allowing the project to advance without displacing the water body. Officials say construction work is currently progressing rapidly.

Pandey directed officials to adopt a compassionate approach toward the local community. According to an official statement, she has instructed the department to build a dedicated road for local residents and provide essential facilities — including electricity, lights, fans, and clean drinking water — to the local school.

Why This Line Matters

Currently, rail travellers from Howrah to Bishnupur must travel via Kharagpur and Midnapore, covering roughly 200 km. The new alignment via Tarakeswar will reduce that to approximately 140 km, making the journey faster and more economical for commuters and tourists alike.

Bishnupur is a major heritage and tourist destination, internationally recognised for its Terracotta Temples. The new corridor also passes through Kamarpukur and Jairambati, pilgrimage sites associated with Shri Ramakrishna Paramhansa and Maa Sarada, respectively. Officials say the route could be developed into a unified pilgrimage and tourism circuit, with nearby attractions such as Mukutmanipur and the Ayodhya Hills drawing additional footfall.

Community and Regional Impact

Residents of Hooghly district are reported to be enthusiastic about the project, which promises faster and more affordable rail connectivity to destinations in Bankura and Midnapore. The line is expected to benefit daily commuters, pilgrims, and tourists in equal measure.

With the Calcutta High Court hurdle cleared and bridge construction underway, the project's completion timeline will depend on the pace of remaining land acquisition and civil works.