Kolkata on Wednesday received its first air-conditioned local train, marking a significant upgrade in the city’s suburban transport system. The new AC Electric Multiple Unit (EMU) rake will operate on the Sealdah-Ranaghat section. The minimum fare for the air-conditioned service is set at ₹29 for journeys up to 10 km, with the fare increasing to ₹37 for distances between 11 and 15 km.
Monthly season tickets (MSTs) are also available at ₹590 and ₹780 for respective distance slabs, making the service affordable for regular commuters. “This is the Railway’s grand gift for the City of Joy and especially for the commuters of the Sealdah division,” said the Divisional Railway Manager (DRM), Sealdah. Though the arrival of the first AC rake was slightly delayed, having been scheduled for May, railway officials and passengers believe the new service will transform daily travel for thousands of suburban rail users.
The 12-coach steel-bodied rake arrived from Chennai’s Integral Coach Factory and was transported to the Ranaghat carshed via Howrah and Dum Dum. A special engine hauled the rake to its destination. The rake will now undergo trial runs and customisation before being inducted into passenger service. The train also comes equipped with a CCTV surveillance system for enhanced security.
The Sealdah-Ranaghat section was strategically selected due to its high passenger volume. Stations along this route—including Kalyani, Naihati, Barrackpore, Dum Dum, Bidhannagar, and Sealdah—cater to a large portion of the city’s suburban traffic. Officials said the introduction of AC services on this stretch will offer better comfort, especially during the city’s hot and humid seasons.
The AC rake is designed for modern commuting needs. Capable of reaching speeds up to 110 km/h, the train includes a range of passenger-friendly features. These include automatic sliding doors, real-time GPS-enabled train indication boards, a GPS-linked passenger announcement system, and a two-way talk-back facility for emergency communication with the loco pilot—especially useful for women’s safety.
All 12 coaches are interconnected with sealed, wide vestibule gangways, allowing passengers to move freely between compartments. Railway officials emphasised that fare rationalisation was done to ensure the service remains accessible to the majority of suburban commuters. With another AC EMU rake expected soon, the city is poised to gradually expand its modern suburban fleet.
