Sealdah–Hasnabad–Bangaon–Ranaghat line


The Sealdah–Hasnabad–Bongaon–Ranaghat line is a set of three lines interlinked with each other: the Sealdah-Bangaon line connecting Sealdah and Bangaon, the Barasat–Basirhat–Hasnabad line connecting Barasat and Hasnabad and the Ranaghat–Bangaon line connecting Ranaghat and Bangaon. It is part of the Kolkata Suburban Railway system and is under the jurisdiction of Eastern Railway.

History

The main line of the Eastern Bengal Railway from Sealdah to Ranaghat, was opened in 1862 and extended the same year to Kushtia, now in Bangladesh. In 1882–84 the Bengal Central Railway Company constructed two lines: one from Dum Dum to Khulna, now in Bangladesh, via Bangaon and the other linking Ranaghat and Bangaon. Martin's Light Railways constructed the 2 ft 6 in light railway from Barasat to Basirhat in 1914 and later extended to Hasnabad. The line was converted into wide broad gauge between 1957 and 1962. The Sealah-Dum Dum-Barasat-Ashok Nagar-Bangaon sector was electrified in 1963–64. The remaining line was electrified in 1970s.

Electrification

The Sealah-Ashoknagar sector was electrified in 1963–64. The remaining line was electrified in 1970s.

Car shed

There is an EMU car shed at Narkeldanga Canal, near Sealdah, which also has space for some locomotives. Barasat also has an EMU car shed, having been designed to accommodate trains for rail engine and car maintenance.

Trains

The only mainline train from that uses this track is the Bandhan Express which runs from Kolkata to Dhaka. Many local trains also ply on this route.