3 min readKolkataFeb 16, 2026 05:41 AM IST
In a bid to bolster regional connectivity and commuter safety, the Indian Railways has sanctioned a series of infrastructure projects, including a high-budget Road Over Bridge (ROB) and six new passenger halts in West Bengal and Jharkhand.
In order to strengthen the “last-mile” reach of the Railways network, the Railway Ministry has approved a new halt at Chandipur on the Panskura–Digha line in South Eastern Railway’s Kharagpur Division to cater to both daily commuters and the influx of tourists heading to Digha. A new station near Sidhu Kanho University on the Purulia–Gourinathdham section has also been approved to provide direct rail access for students and faculty in the Adra Division, a Railway official said.
In a boost to rural and suburban connectivity, the Railways Ministry sanctioned new halts at Sidhi Jamra on the Radhagaon–Pundag section, and Nashipur on the Bhadrpur–Lalgola section, which will link small village clusters and trading hubs in the Bhadrpur-Lalgola belt to larger economic centres.
A new halt at Jangalpara on the Howrah–Goghat section in Howrah Division was approved following local demand, delivering improved rail access between Talpur and Takipur halts.
Another halt at Rangmati on the Muri–Gonda section in the Ranchi Division was approved to improve connectivity for residents of adjacent hamlets and rural communities, providing direct rail access to local marketplaces and educational institutions.
The Ministry also approved the construction of a Road Over Bridge (ROB) in response to severe traffic congestion and space constraints at Level Crossing No. 101 between Malahar Halt and Samsi on the Katihar Division in West Bengal. The Rs 176.99 crore project, fully funded by Indian Railways, will include a primary Road Over Bridge and an additional light ROB at the diversion point to eliminate traffic bottlenecks, reduce road-rail conflicts, and improve safety for motorists, pedestrians, and emergency services, the official said.
Meanwhile, the Divisional Cultural Association of the Howrah Division staged a thematic performance at the Konnagar Railway Station on February 13. The performance featured the character of “Yamraj” which used dark humour and symbolism to warn commuters about the fatal consequences of trespassing and ignoring level crossing signals.
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The performance focussed on key safety mandates including mandatory use of Foot Over-Bridges (FOBs) and subways, zero tolerance for mobile phone usage near tracks, and strict adherence to all railway signals and warnings.
