MPs Raise Alarm Over Train Delays and Oppose Shifting of Tatanagar Services at SER Divisional Meet

RANCHI: Serious concerns over chronic train delays and a controversial proposal to shift major train operations away from Tatanagar dominated the South Eastern Railway (SER) Divisional Committee meeting held at Hotel Radisson Blu on Thursday.

Major Concerns: Delays and Operational Shifts

Jamshedpur MP Bidyut Baran Mahato, presiding over the meeting of the Ranchi and Chakradharpur divisions, voiced strong public anger regarding the “excessive and frequent” delays of passenger trains arriving from the Chakradharpur and Chandil sections. He warned railway officials that mounting dissatisfaction among commuters has reached a breaking point due to the administrative failure to maintain schedules.

Compounding this frustration is a proposal to shift the origin of several high-profile trains—including the South Bihar Express, Tata–Buxar Express, and Tata–Jammu Tawi Express—from Tatanagar to Adityapur. MP Mahato launched a firm protest against this move, stating he would not allow such a shift under any circumstances, as it has caused deep resentment among local residents who rely on Tatanagar’s central connectivity.

Demand for Infrastructure and New Connectivity

To resolve the perpetual congestion on the Howrah–Mumbai route, Mahato reiterated the urgent need for the 130.5-km Chandil–Jhargram new rail line via Patamda and Bandwan. Despite a completed survey, the project remains stalled, leaving a large tribal belt without rail access since Independence.

Other critical infrastructure demands included:

• Immediate inauguration of the Salgajhuri Rail Underpass (RUB).

• Construction of Railway Over Bridges (ROBs) at Parsudih Makdampur and Sundernagar.

• The launch of new train services from Tatanagar to Digha and a dedicated service to Bengaluru via Katpadi for students and patients.

• Extension of the South Bihar Express to Buxar and the Ranchi Intercity to Daltonganj.

The meeting concluded with railway officials assuring the MPs that these grievances would be examined, though the committee maintained that immediate, visible improvements in punctuality and facility expansion are non-negotiable.