Kolkata Suburban Railway

Kolkata, one of the four largest metros in India, is a fast developing tourist destination, with people from all over the world coming here for a relaxed and enjoyable holiday. What makes things easier for these visitors is the fact that transportation in Kolkata is quite convenient, and compared to other places, dirt-cheap. Every modern mode of transport can be found in this city, jostling for space with the most ancient of travel methods. On the one hand, is the Kolkata Metro, the subway service, and on the other, ancient hand-pulled rickshaws. One of the most used modes of transport in Kolkata is the Kolkata Suburban Railway.

The Kolkata Suburban Railway connects the various parts of the city, and its nearby districts and suburbs. There are two main railway stations in Kolkata # Howrah Railway Station, and Sealdah Railway Stations. Kolkata and its neighbouring districts are connected by this extensive Kolkata Suburban Railway system. The Kolkata Suburban Railway stretches into the districts of North 24 Parganas, South 24 Parganas, Nadia, Howrah, Hooghly, etc.

The Kolkata Suburban Railway is operated by the Eastern Railway, and the South Eastern Railway. The categorization of the Kolkata Suburban Railway can be made in the following manner –

Sealdah Station – From this station, the Kolkata Suburban Railway serves the Main Section, and the South Section.

Sealdah Main Section – this part of the Kolkata Suburban Railway serves the northern suburbs on the eastern bank of Hooghly River and further east towards the international border between India and Bangladesh, including the Barasat section - Bongaon line, Hasnabad line; Dankuni section; Naihati section; Bandel section; and Gede section - Shantipur line, Krishnanagar line, Gede line.

Sealdah South Section # Kolkata Suburban Railway of this section operates on the southern parts of the city and serves the southern suburbs of Calcutta and the entire South 24 Parganas district. The locations include – Budge-Budge Section, Canning line, Baruipur section, Diamond Harbour line, Kakdwip line, and Kalighat Falta Railway.

Howrah Station – The Kolkata Suburban Railway is operated by the South Eastern Railways, which serves the south western suburbs of Greater Kolkata; and by the Eastern Railways, which runs on the western banks of river Hooghly.

The Howrah South Eastern Section of the Kolkata Suburban Railway connects Shalimar Section; Amta Section; Panskura Section; Midnapur Section; and Haldia Section.

The Howrah Eastern Section of the Kolkata Suburban Railway connects Dankuni Section; Bardhaman Section; Seoraphuli Section; Tarakeshwar Section; Bandel Section; Bardhaman Section; and Katwa Section.

A congested and difficult way to travel in, but wonderful too, in its own clammy way, the Kolkata Suburban Railway is one of the numerous ways to get around in Kolkata.