Santragachi-Khatipura Express flagged off, links Bengal to Jaipur weekly
By Siddharth VermaBusiness Correspondent, Peepals Bharat
Representative image: thilina_alagiyawanna / Pixabay
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw virtually flagged off the weekly Santragachi-Khatipura Express on October 26, 2026; regular runs begin November 4.
What Happened
A new weekly train linking Santragachi near Kolkata with Khatipura in Jaipur was flagged off on Monday, October 26, 2026. Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw joined the ceremony by video conference, while West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari and other public representatives took part from Santragachi and Tatanagar stations. The inaugural run left the same day. Regular commercial service, as train numbers 18061 and 18062, begins on Wednesday, November 4, from Santragachi and on Friday, November 6, from Khatipura. The train runs through Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal.
Key Facts
- Flag-off: Monday, October 26, 2026, with the Railway Minister joining virtually and the West Bengal Chief Minister at the event.
- Train numbers for regular service: 18061 (Santragachi to Khatipura) and 18062 (Khatipura to Santragachi).
- Frequency: once a week in each direction.
- From Santragachi: every Wednesday at 2.15 pm, reaching Khatipura at about 11 pm the next day, according to the published schedule.
- First regular trips: November 4 from Santragachi and November 6 from Khatipura.
- Route: via Tatanagar and Ranchi, covering roughly 1,678 km across five states.
- A separate inaugural service between Tatanagar and Khatipura was also flagged off on the same day.
Why It Matters
Eastern India and Rajasthan are linked by only a handful of direct trains, and most travellers between Kolkata's suburbs, the Jharkhand steel belt and Jaipur have had to change trains at Delhi, Agra or Mughalsarai, or fly. A direct weekly train through Tatanagar and Ranchi gives people in these cities a single overnight journey, which matters for students, migrant workers, traders and families who travel between the regions.
The choice of Khatipura as the western end is also significant. Khatipura is a satellite station on the western side of Jaipur that Indian Railways has been developing to take pressure off the crowded Jaipur Junction. Running new long-distance trains from there spreads out passenger traffic and gives residents of the fast-growing western suburbs a closer station. It also puts the train within reach of pilgrims heading to Khatu Shyam Ji temple in Sikar district, a major draw for devotees from Bengal, Jharkhand and Bihar; railway news reports on the launch highlighted that pilgrim traffic.
For Jharkhand, the train adds a direct link from Tatanagar (Jamshedpur) and Ranchi to Rajasthan. Tatanagar is a busy industrial station, and the Jamshedpur MP Bidyut Baran Mahato presided over the flag-off there. Many families in the steel city have roots in Rajasthan and Bihar, and long-distance links westward have been a long-standing local demand.
The launch also fits a pattern seen in recent weeks: Indian Railways has been adding long-distance services before the winter travel season, when demand for the festive period, weddings and holidays peaks.
| Detail | Santragachi to Khatipura (18061) | Khatipura to Santragachi (18062) |
|---|---|---|
| First regular run | Wednesday, November 4, 2026 | Friday, November 6, 2026 |
| Day of departure | Every Wednesday | Every Friday |
| Departure | 2.15 pm | Morning, as per the railway schedule |
| States crossed | West Bengal, Jharkhand, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan | Same, in reverse |
Impact
Short-term: Travellers can book the weekly service ahead of the winter season, with the first regular departures in the first week of November. Pilgrims and families who travel between Bengal, Jharkhand and Jaipur get an option without a change of train.
Long-term: If occupancy is strong, railways often raise the frequency of such services, which could turn a weekly link into a more regular one. The use of Khatipura as a terminal also supports the plan to decongest Jaipur Junction.
Who is affected: Passengers in Santragachi and Howrah district, Kharagpur, Tatanagar, Ranchi and towns along the route in Jharkhand, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh; residents of western Jaipur; pilgrims to Khatu Shyam Ji; and traders who move between these regions.
Key Takeaway
The new weekly Santragachi-Khatipura Express gives eastern India its first direct overnight link to western Jaipur via Tatanagar and Ranchi, with regular runs from November 4, 2026.
Questions and Answers
When does the regular Santragachi-Khatipura Express service start?
Regular service as train 18061 starts on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, from Santragachi, and the return train 18062 starts on Friday, November 6, 2026, from Khatipura in Jaipur. The train was flagged off on October 26.
How often does the train run and when does it leave Santragachi?
It is a weekly train. It leaves Santragachi every Wednesday at 2.15 pm and reaches Khatipura at about 11 pm the next day, according to the published schedule. Passengers should check the timetable on the railway enquiry system before booking, as halt timings can be revised.
Which states and major stations does the train pass through?
It crosses five states: West Bengal, Jharkhand, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. Its major stops include Tatanagar and Ranchi, and the full journey is about 1,678 km.
Where is Khatipura and why is it useful?
Khatipura is a station on the western side of Jaipur that is being developed to share the load of Jaipur Junction. It is closer for residents of western Jaipur and is convenient for pilgrims travelling on to Khatu Shyam Ji temple in Sikar district.
Disclaimer: Prepared by the Peepals newsroom from publicly available sources with AI assistance. Information is accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication and may change. Images may be representative. Not professional advice. Report an error via our contact page.
By Siddharth Verma, Business CorrespondentCovers Business and more for Peepals Bharat. All stories by Siddharth Verma
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Siddharth Verma is a pen name of the Peepals Global Editorial Team, which researches, fact-checks and publishes every story. The portrait is an illustration.
