# Vaishnaw flags off Santragachi-Khatipura Express, connecting five states

2026-10-26T21:06:49+00:00 | Governance | Indian Opinion Desk

Corroboration: 4 independent outlets

Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw flagged off the new Santragachi-Khatipura (Jaipur) Express via video conference on Monday, 26 October 2026. West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari and other public representatives joined the event virtually from Santragachi and Tatanagar stations. The inaugural special train will cover over 1,500 km in 32 hours and 45 minutes, halting at 27 stations across Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal. Regular commercial service of train number 18061/18062 will begin from Santragachi on 4 November and from Khatipura on 6 November. The train will run weekly: from Santragachi every Wednesday at 14:15 hrs, arriving at Khatipura at 23:00 hrs the next day, from Khatipura every Friday at 09:15 hrs, reaching Santragachi at 19:45 hrs the next day. The Railways stated the service will benefit business professionals, students and others travelling for employment and education.

## Coverage

Coverage: 4 sources, 4 neutral
- bhaskarenglish.in (neutral report) <https://www.bhaskarenglish.in/local/rajasthan/jaipur/news/ashwini-vaishnaw-flags-off-jaipur-santragachi-train-khatipura-launch-139493874.html>
  Leads with launch timing, coach composition and full stop list
- biharjharkhandnewsnetwork.com (neutral report) <https://biharjharkhandnewsnetwork.com/south-eastern-railway-flagging-off-of-santragachi-khatipura-jaipur-santragachi-express/>
  Official press release style listing attendees and schedules
- indianexpress.com (neutral report) <https://indianexpress.com/article/india/santragachi-khatipura-jaipur-express-route-stops-timings-10937814/>
  Straight service details: route, timings, frequency, distance
- timesofindia.indiatimes.com (neutral report) <https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/rly-min-flags-off-jaipur-santragachi-express-boosts-east-west-connectivity/articleshow/135217958.cms>
  Leads with connectivity angle, includes minister's tourism quote

This brief was synthesised by AI from the 4 sources linked above, so one read covers every framing they carry.

Tags: Ashwini Vaishnaw, Indian Railways, Khatipura, Santragachi, Suvendu Adhikari
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Cite: https://indianopinion.org/vaishnaw-flags-off-santragachi-khatipura-express-connecting-five-states/#story-in-brief

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