Rail transit between the eastern industrial belts and the historic towns of Rajasthan has received a notable connectivity upgrade. Indian Railways has outlined the complete operational blueprint, stopping pattern, and timetable for a brand-new weekly express linking Santragachi near Howrah with Jaipur's Khatipura terminal. The direct route establishes seamless overland movement across five major northern and eastern states, providing a single-train journey between crucial industrial clusters, mining towns, and tourist destinations. The maiden inaugural departure was flagged off on Monday by Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw alongside West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, with formal operational timetables and full commercial schedules made public on Tuesday.
Weekly Departure Schedules Across Both Directions
According to the notified scheduling framework, the service will function on a once-a-week frequency in both directions. Services originating from West Bengal under train number 18061, named the Santragachi-Khatipura Express, will inaugurate their regular schedule on November 4. This westward rake will embark from Santragachi every Wednesday at 14:15 in the afternoon, pulling into the Khatipura station outside Jaipur on Thursday night at 23:00.
The return counterpart, listed as train number 18062 Khatipura-Santragachi Express, will begin its commercial schedule starting November 6. The eastward rake is set to pull out of Khatipura terminal every Friday morning at 09:15. Traversing across Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Jharkhand, the train is scheduled to terminate at Santragachi on Saturday evening at 19:45, clocking an overall journey time of roughly 33 to 34 hours along the trans-regional corridor.
Comprehensive Coach Configuration and Onboard Layout
To cater to varied travel preferences over this prolonged interstate journey, railway planners have assembled a balanced 22-coach train consist. Premium and upper-tier air-conditioned accommodation features 1 first class AC coach, 2 second class AC compartments, 4 third class AC coaches, alongside 2 third class economy AC carriages designed to offer budget air-conditioned transit.
Substantial capacity has been allocated for ordinary commuters and family travelers, featuring 6 sleeper class coaches along with 4 unreserved general seating coaches. Catering needs across the day-and-night run are supported by a dedicated onboard pantry car, while operational requirements and luggage transit are handled through 2 SLR brake vans located at the ends of the formation.
Transit Corridors and Scheduled Halts
The service traces a extensive geographic footprint traversing through prominent railway nodes. Moving outward from West Bengal, the train visits Kharagpur Junction before penetrating the industrial core of Jharkhand, halting at Tatanagar Junction, Chandil, Purulia, Muri Junction, Ranchi, Lohardaga, Tori, Barwadih, Daltonganj, and Garhwa Road.
Progressing across Bihar, scheduled passenger stoppages include Japla, Dehri On Sone, Sasaram, and Bhabhua Road. The train then navigates Uttar Pradesh with vital halts at Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction, Mirzapur, Prayagraj Junction, Fatehpur, Kanpur Central, Tundla Junction, and Idgah Agra Junction. Crossing into Rajasthan, it touches Kherli, Mandawar Mahuwa Road, Bandikui Junction, and Dausa Junction before pulling into its terminal platform at Khatipura.
Station-by-Station Timing Overview
Departing Santragachi on Wednesdays, train number 18061 arrives at Kharagpur at 15:50, Tatanagar at 17:37, and reaches Ranchi at 22:50. Advancing past midnight into Thursday, it stops at Lohardaga at 00:10, Garhwa Road at 04:10, and Sasaram at 06:44. Moving along the northern spine, the rake pauses at Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction at 08:48, Prayagraj at 11:25, Kanpur Central at 14:00, Idgah Agra at 18:20, Bandikui at 21:40, and Dausa at 22:03 before concluding at Khatipura at 23:00.
On the return run, train number 18062 departs Khatipura on Fridays at 09:15, reaching Dausa at 09:46, Bandikui at 10:28, Idgah Agra at 12:45, and Tundla at 14:05. It reaches Kanpur Central by 18:45 and Prayagraj by 21:25. Crossing into early Saturday, it pauses at Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction at 00:43, Garhwa Road at 06:00, Ranchi at 10:45, Tatanagar at 15:05, and Kharagpur at 17:30, arriving at Santragachi at 19:45.
