Jalpaiguri station to be revamped themed on Netaji’s freedom struggle
Times of India | 19 February 2025
12 Jalpaiguri: Jalpaiguri station is undergoing an overhaul under the Amrit Bharat Station Yojana scheme. It will be the first station in the country themed on Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose's struggle against colonial rule for India's independence.
As part of the project, the existing station building will be replaced with a new structure. Murals in the station and circulating area will depict Netaji's role in the freedom movement, including key events such as his daring escape from British surveillance in 1941.
"The people of Jalpaiguri proposed this theme to Indian Railways, and it was acce-pted. Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose was in Jalpaiguri when he was elected president of All India Congress Committee, and locals wanted the station's redevelopment to commemorate this great nationalist leader," said Kapinjal Kishore Sharma, CPRO of Northeast Frontier Railway.
"We are delighted that our request has been honoured," said Gobinda Roy of Nagarik Mancha, former MLA of Jalpaiguri.
Ananda Gopal Ghosh, former head of the history department at North Bengal University, said, "Netaji was in Jalpaiguri from Jan 2-4, 1939 to attend the Bangiya Pradeshik Rastriya (Congress) Samiti meeting, which was being held in north Be-ngal for the first time. Over 400 delegates from across India participated, along with local attendees. It was during this time that the results of All India Congress Committee president election, held in Tripuri were announced and Netaji won convincingly, securing the presidency."
Jalpaiguri station, located around 40 km from NJP Station, serves the towns of Jalpaiguri, Haldibari, Maynaguri and surrounding areas. It accommodates trains such as the Darjeeling Mail, Haldibari-Kolkata Superfast Express, and several local services. Following the redevelopment, Indian Railways is reportedly planning to introduce additional train services at the station.
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