Railway passengers traveling between western and eastern parts of the country have received a major connectivity boost with the introduction of a brand new express train originating from Jaipur. Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw officially flagged off the Jaipur-Khatipura to Tatanagar-Santragachi Express. Participating in the launch event virtually through video conferencing from West Bengal, the minister emphasized that this new service will significantly improve rail links connecting Rajasthan with states like Jharkhand and West Bengal.
This long-distance train will traverse through five states in total, namely Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal. Along its extensive route, the locomotive will halt at approximately twenty-nine major stations. Prominent stops on this corridor include major junctions like Prayagraj, Ranchi, Lohardaga, Daltonganj, Garhwa Road, and Tatanagar. Covering a total distance of approximately one thousand six hundred seventy-seven kilometers, the service is designed to directly benefit passengers who frequently travel long distances between Jaipur and the eastern regions.
Weekly Schedule and Route Details
The newly introduced train service operates on a weekly schedule for each direction, providing commuters with a reliable alternative route. Train number 18061 runs from Santragachi to Khatipura, while the return service operates as train number 18062 from Khatipura to Santragachi. Because these services run only once a week in each direction, officials advise travelers to thoroughly check official railway schedules, regular operations, and ticket availability before finalizing their travel plans.
Santragachi to Khatipura Train Timings
According to the official timetable, train number 18061 departs from Santragachi every Wednesday afternoon at 2:15 PM. The train is scheduled to arrive at Khatipura station in Jaipur late at night on Thursday at 11:00 PM. This schedule gives passengers traveling from West Bengal to Rajasthan a direct arrival option by Thursday night, easing long-distance transit across multiple state boundaries.
Khatipura to Santragachi Return Timings
For the return journey, train number 18062 departs from Khatipura station every Friday morning at 9:20 AM. The schedule dictates that the train will reach Santragachi on Saturday afternoon at 3:05 PM. Passengers boarding from Jaipur on Friday morning will reach West Bengal by the following afternoon, keeping in mind that the weekly frequency requires careful planning ahead of travel dates.
Stoppage and Timings at Tatanagar Station
The train has dedicated halts at key intermediate stations, including a notable stop at Tatanagar. Train number 18061 arrives at Tatanagar station at 10:50 PM at night and departs after a fifteen-minute halt at 11:05 PM. On the return leg, train number 18062 reaches Tatanagar in the afternoon at 3:05 PM and departs five minutes later at 3:10 PM. These designated timings offer convenient boarding opportunities for passengers in that region.
Connecting Jaipur with multiple eastern and northern states through twenty-nine major stations, this weekly express expands travel choices for thousands of commuters. With major hubs like Prayagraj, Ranchi, and Tatanagar integrated into its path, the comprehensive route bridges a crucial connectivity gap for long-distance travelers relying on the Indian Railways network.
