Ahead of Modi’s Malda visit, traders seek key train services

Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Malda on 17 January, during which he is expected to flag off a series of new train services, the Malda Merchants’ Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MMCC&I) has thanked the Prime Minister while urging him to restore and introduce several key train services from Malda Town station, citing the district’s historical, economic and strategic importance.

In a letter addressed to the Prime Minister, MMCC&I president Ujjal Saha highlighted Malda’s significance as a historic railway hub, noting that Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose had once travelled through the Malda route and that the district plays a vital role in Indo-Bangladesh bilateral trade. He also underlined Malda’s religious and tourism importance, pointing to sites associated with Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and Prophet Muhammad, which attract pilgrims and tourists throughout the year.

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The chamber stated that Malda Town station is extensively used by patients seeking medical treatment, students pursuing higher education, migrant workers, traders and tourists, and therefore requires improved long-distance rail connectivity.

The MMCC&I has appealed for the introduction of direct train services from Malda Town to South India, Mumbai and Delhi (up to Punjab), noting that several important trains have either been withdrawn or diverted from Malda in recent years. The chamber also sought the restoration of direct train services to Nabadwip Dham and Howrah, pointing out that earlier trains on these routes have been shifted to Balurghat or Katihar.

The letter further mentioned that key passenger services such as Malda-Burdwan, Malda-Asansol, Malda-Mumbai Special and Malda-Haridwar Special have been discontinued, causing serious inconvenience to the people of the district. These trains, MMCC&I said, once formed the backbone of Malda’s rail connectivity.

Expressing concern, the chamber also noted that despite earlier proposals for two pairs of Ranaghat-Malda Town MEMU passenger services via Murshidabad-Azimganj, the trains are yet to be operational, forcing commuters to face daily hardship.

The MMCC&I warned that the gradual withdrawal of trains from Malda Division is negatively impacting passenger sentiment as well as railway revenue, stressing that people of the region share a deep emotional bond with the Malda railway division.

Highlighting economic potential, the chamber said improved rail connectivity would boost the transport and export of Malda’s GI-tagged mangoes and Nistari silk, strengthening trade, MSMEs and employment generation.

While welcoming Malda Town station’s inclusion under the “Amrit Bharat Station” project, MMCC&I urged the railways to instal lifts and escalators on all platforms and improve passenger amenities, especially for senior citizens, to ensure safer and weather-protected movement within the station premises.

The chamber also reiterated the long-standing demand for an airport in Malda to enhance connectivity and accelerate regional development.

Urging early consideration of its proposals, MMCC&I said improved transport infrastructure would play a crucial role in industrial growth, tourism, employment and economic expansion in the district, while also increasing railway revenue.