Sealdah division mulling one more AC local from Ranaghat
The Statesman | 4 November 2025
Commuters of Ranaghat could soon enjoy more air-conditioned local train services. The Sealdah Division of the Eastern Railway is exploring options to introduce more air-conditioned local EMU trains from Ranaghat in the near future.
The division has sought five more AC local EMU rakes from the Railway Board. Once the requisitioned rakes are received, the division would consider introducing services of AC local trains connecting Ranaghat to other crucial sections. However, since there is a huge demand for such AC local trains in Mumbai that has a vast network of the advanced form of the local EMUs, the requisitioned rakes by Sealdah Division could take some time to deliver.
According to the divisional railway manager of the Sealdah, Rajeev Saxena, the authorities are also exploring options of running more AC local EMUs in the existing routes. “We are planning one service that would also be from Ranaghat,” informed the DRM. The service in plan would not be run during peak hours. The new service would be taken ahead only after the requisitioned rakes are received,” he added.
The Sealdah Division introduced its first AC local train in the month of August, connecting Ranaghat to Sealdah. Later, in September, the divisional railway rolled out a new AC EMU service on the Ranaghat-Bangaon-Sealdah corridor enabling alternate service from Ranaghat for airport and nearby areas via interchange with metro at Dum Dum cantt and other areas in Kolkata. Another AC EMU service was launched between Sealdah and Krishnanagar to strengthen connectivity on the busy mainline section. The service was designed particularly to serve commuters headed towards Mayapur ISKON temple and passengers bound for Kalyani AIIMS Hospital.