The inaugural run of the AC EMU train service between Sealdah and Ranaghat was flagged off from Sealdah station today at morning by Union Minister of State for Education & Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), Shri Sukanta Majumdar and Union Minister of State for Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Shri Shantanu Thakur. Other dignitaries and senior officials from Eastern Railway were also present on the occasion.
Speaking on the occasion, Shri Majumdar compared the railway network to the “vein of the nation” and expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and Railway Minister Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw for their leadership in transforming the sector. He highlighted that the Railway budget has increased five-fold, enabling 42 ongoing railway projects in the State. He also noted that 2,000 railway stations in West Bengal are now powered by solar energy, marking a significant step towards the Government’s vision of Viksit Bharat@2047. Shri Thakur stated that the new AC local train will enhance the comfort of daily commuters and reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to the continued development of the Indian Railways.
The newly introduced rake will serve the busy Sealdah–Ranaghat section, a vital suburban corridor carrying lakhs of commuters daily. According to Eastern Railway officials, the section was selected for its high passenger density and connectivity across major suburban hubs.
The 12-coach AC EMU offers a total seating capacity of 1,128 seats, with vestibule-connected coaches equipped with 30-ton capacity air-conditioning units. Passenger safety and comfort are ensured through 100% CCTV surveillance, emergency talk-back units, electronic display boards, a passenger address system, fire extinguishers, and Railway Protection Force (RPF) security personnel. Each coach will have a ticket examiner on duty. Coaches feature sliding auto-closing doors and are designed for a maximum operational speed of 110 km/h.
The scheduled timings for the service are as follows:
Down Service: Departs Ranaghat at 8:29 a.m., arrives Sealdah at 10:10 a.m.
Up Service: Departs Sealdah at 6:50 p.m., arrives Ranaghat at 8:32 p.m.
The train will stop at Dum Dum, Sodepur, Khardah, Barrackpore, Naihati, Kanchrapara, Kalyani and Chakdah.
Fare for the AC EMU service ranges from ₹35 (minimum) to ₹120 (maximum). Monthly season tickets are available, priced between ₹620 and ₹2,430, offering a cost-effective travel option for regular commuters.
The introduction of this AC EMU service marks another step towards enhancing passenger amenities in the suburban network, combining comfort, safety, and efficiency for daily travellers.
