**Executive Summary**
This document is an answer from the Minister of Railways to an unstarred question in Lok Sabha (No. 2944) to be answered on December 17, 2025, concerning train connectivity from Digha Railway Station. It outlines Indian Railways' efforts to enhance passenger train services. The document details recent additions to the railway network and provides information on current train services operating from Digha.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **General Expansion of Railway Services:**
* Indian Railways (IR) is continuously working to cater to passenger needs by introducing more trains.
* During 2025-26 (up to November 2025), IR introduced over 200 train services, including 28 Vande Bharat services, 26 Amrit Bharat Express, and 02 Namo Bharat Rapid Rail.
* Around 100 services were extended during the same period.
* Approximately 60,000 special trains operated and 700+ coaches augmented train services on a permanent basis in 2025-26 (till November 2025).
* **Digha Railway Station Services:**
* Digha is currently served by 24 train services, including:
* 2 pairs of trains viz. 22873/22874 Digha-Vishakapatnam Express
* 1 pair of trains viz. 22889/22890 Digha-Puri Express
* The document lists all 24 operating trains.
* Digha is connected to Kolkata by 3 pairs of train services.
* Kolkata is connected to Bardhaman, Bhubaneswar and Puri by 75 pairs, 38 pairs and 11 pairs of Mail/Express services respectively.
* All 24 train services to Digha also serve Kanthi (Contai) station and provide connectivity to Digha, Kolkata, Visakhapatnam and Puri.
* **Introduction of New Train Services:**
* The introduction of new train services depends on various factors:
* Capacity of that section
* Availability of path
* Availability of required rolling stock
* Availability of matching infrastructure for rolling stock
* Maintenance requirement of railway tracks and other assets
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Passengers**
* **Impact:** Passengers benefit from increased train services and enhanced connectivity, especially those traveling to/from Digha, Contai, Kolkata, Visakhapatnam, and Puri.
* **Action Required:** Stay informed about the new train schedules and routes.
**Stakeholder: Residents of Contai and Pilgrims**
* **Impact:** Improved connectivity to major cities.
* **Action Required:** Utilize the expanded services for easier access to desired destinations.
**Stakeholder: Indian Railways**
* **Impact:** Responsible for managing increased train frequency and ensuring adequate infrastructure.
* **Action Required:** Continue to assess the demand for train services, maintain and upgrade infrastructure, and introduce new services based on feasibility.
**Stakeholder: Digha Railway Station**
* **Impact:** Digha Railway Station will serve more trains and passengers.
* **Action Required:** Prepare for increased traffic and passenger flow, and ensure station facilities are adequate.
Key Entities Referenced
Indian Railways (IR): The primary entity responsible for the railway network and passenger services mentioned in the document.
Ministry of Railways: The ministry responsible for the administration of Indian Railways, answering parliamentary questions on train connectivity.
Digha Railway Station: A railway station in West Bengal, India. The document focuses on extending railway connectivity to and from this station.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2944
TO BE ANSWERED ON 17.12.2025
TRAIN CONNECTIVITY FROM DIGHA RAILWAY STATION
2944. SHRI ADHIKARI SOUMENDU:
Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:
(a) whether Government is extending railway connectivity passenger
network across the country and if so, the details thereof;
(b) the details of proposals and places to connect Digha Railway
Station in West Bengal near future till 2030;
(c) the details of the proposal to connect regular passenger train
services between Digha-Bhubaneswar, Digha-Asansol-Burdwan and
biweekly services of Digha-Puri therein; and
(d) whether the Government intends to review the said proposal and
prepare a project investigation report for the benefits at large for the
people and patients of Contai and other tourists/pilgrims and if so, the
details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND
ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)
(a) to (d) Indian Railways(IR) constantly endeavours to cater to the needs
of passenger by introducing more trains on its network. Accordingly, to
cater to the needs of passengers, IR, during 2025-26 (upto November, 2025),
has introduced more than 200 train services which includes 28 Vande
Bharat services, 26 Amrit Bharat Express and 02 Namo Bharat Rapid Rail. IR
has also extended about 100 services during the same period.
…2/--2-
Besides, in its constant endeavour to provide additional accommodation to
travelling passengers, IR also operates Special train services during
festivals, holidays, etc. to cater to the extra needs of passengers and
supplement the accommodation available by regular services. In addition to
the above, the load of trains are also augmented, both on a permanent and
temporary basis, to generate additional accommodation for different
segments of passengers.
Accordingly, on the Indian Railways(IR) network, during Year 2025-26 (till
November, 2025), about 60,000 special trains have been operated and more
than 700 coaches have been utilized for augmentation of train services on a
permanent basis.
Presently, Digha is served by 24 train services (listed below) which include
02 pairs of trains viz. 22873/22874 Digha-Vishakapatnam Express and
22889/22890 Digha-Puri Express connecting it to Bhubaneswar and 01 pair
of train viz. 22889/22890 Digha-Puri Express connecting it to Puri. Digha is
connected to Kolkata by 03 pairs of train services while Kolkata is
connected to Bardhaman, Bhubaneswar and Puri by 75 pairs, 38 pairs and
11 pairs of Mail/Express services respectively.
SN Train No. and Name
1 22890 Puri – Digha Express
2 22874 Visakhapatnam – Digha Express
3 12857 Howrah – Digha Tamralipta Express
4 12858 Digha – Howrah Tamralipta Express
5 15722 New Jalpaiguri – Digha Paharia Express
6 13506 Asansol – Digha Express
7 13505 Digha – Asansol Express
8 15721 Digha – New Jalpaiguri Paharia Express
9 22889 Digha – Puri Express
..3/--3-
10 22873 Digha – Visakhapatnam Express
11 22897 Howrah – Digha Kandari Express
12 22898 Digha – Howrah Kandari Express
13 13418 Malda Town – Digha Express
14 13417 Digha – Malda Town Express
15 68114 Digha – Panskura EMU
16 68116 Digha – Panskura MEMU
17 08117 Panskura – Digha EMU Special
18 08118 Digha – Panskura EMU Special
19 68113 Mecheda – Digha EMU
20 68118 Digha – Mecheda EMU
21 68119 Panskura – Digha EMU
22 68120 Digha – Panskura EMU
23 68115 Panskura – Digha MEMU
24 68117 Panskura – Digha EMU
The 24 train services listed above, also serve Kanthi (Contai) station and
provide connectivity to Digha, Kolkata, Visakhapatnam, Puri etc.
Besides, introduction of new train services on any route/section, which is
an on-going process, depends on various factors which include:
• Capacity of that section
• Availability of path
• Availability of required rolling stock
• Availability of matching infrastructure for rolling stock
• Maintenance requirement of railway tracks and other asset
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