For lakhs of people who travel daily between Kolkata and its suburbs, the local train is more than just transport — it’s a lifeline. And now, that lifeline just got an upgrade. Sunday turned out to be a historic day for passengers of Eastern Railway’s Sealdah division, as the much-awaited air-conditioned EMU local train was finally flagged off on the Sealdah–Ranaghat route.
The inauguration at Sealdah station saw the presence of Union Ministers Sukanta Majumdar and Shantanu Thakur, along with MPs Shamik Bhattacharya and Jagannath Sarkar, Eastern Railway GM Milind Deouskar, and Sealdah DRM Rajiv Saxena.
While Sunday’s run was just the ceremonial flag-off, the real treat begins from Monday — when passengers can actually hop on and enjoy this smooth, cool ride.
First AC Local of Its Kind in Eastern India
Speaking to the media, Eastern Railway’s GM Milind Deouskar called this AC local a “first in Eastern India’s railway history.” The train will run during peak hours — both morning and evening — to give office-goers and daily travellers a more comfortable journey.
Jagannath Sarkar urged passengers to buy monthly passes and support this service so that more such trains can be introduced in the future. Shantanu Thakur said the AC local will ensure a “comfortable commute from suburbs to Kolkata”, while Sukanta Majumdar highlighted that such projects, along with record rail budget allocations and station upgrades under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, are a big boost for West Bengal’s growth.
Stops, Timings & Fares
According to Eastern Railway, the Sealdah–Ranaghat AC local will stop only at key stations — Chakdaha, Kalyani, Kanchrapara, Naihati, Barrackpore, Khardah, Sodepur, Dum Dum, and Bidhannagar — skipping some smaller stations as it’s a “galloping” service.
Timings:
- Morning: Departs Ranaghat 8:29 am, reaches Sealdah 10:10 am
- Evening: Departs Sealdah 6:50 pm, reaches Ranaghat 8:32 pm
One-way fare:
- Sealdah–Dum Dum: ₹35
- Sealdah–Barrackpore: ₹60
- Sealdah–Naihati: ₹90
- Sealdah–Ranaghat: ₹120
Why This Matters
For years, suburban passengers have been braving the heat and rush in regular locals. This AC local is not just a comfort upgrade — it’s a sign that Indian Railways is slowly moving towards world-class suburban travel. Sure, ₹120 may feel steep for some, but for many office-goers, the cool comfort after a long day is worth every rupee.
Now the question is — will this new AC service become a daily favourite for commuters, or will the higher fare keep it as a niche option? Only time (and passenger turnout) will tell.
