Kalka Mai History News.Today, modern trains like Vande Bharat, Amrit Bharat and Namo Bharat are running, which have become the favorite of the passengers, but once upon a time, the same status was held by Kalka Mail, which runs from Howrah to Kalka. The same train is running today in the name of Netaji Express. Because Netaji had left secretly by this train. This train is about 150 years old and has a direct connection with the independence of the country. Let us know the complete story related to this train.
The country’s first train ran between Mumbai and Thane in 1853. During this time, East Indian Railway Company was formed to run trains across the country and the work of laying railway tracks started in many important cities across the country. Railway line was prepared from Howrah to Delhi. Since Kolkata was the capital of the country, a train was run from Kolkata to Delhi in the year 1866 to carry direct mail. It was named ‘East Indian Railway Mail’. East Indian Railway Mail was also initially known as 1 Up / 2 Down.
When did Kalka Mail get its name?
East Indian Railway Mail used to run from Howrah to Delhi. Later railway tracks were laid till Kalka and train service was started. After the construction of Ambala-Kalka line in 1891, the East Indian Railway Mail was extended from Delhi to Kalka and it was named Kalka Mail. At that time it was the main train for British officers to take them from Calcutta to Shimla via Delhi.
On the 124th birth anniversary of Netaji, this train was named Netaji Express.
Where were the stoppages of Kalka Mail?
150 years ago, there were not as many stops at Kalka Mail as there are today. There is no official information about where these trains were, but after starting from big stations Howrah, there were stoppages at stations like Asansol, Raniganj area, Banaras, Mughalsarai (now DDU), Allahabad (now Prayagraj), Kanpur, Agra, Tundla, Delhi.
What is the relation of train with freedom?
In 1941, Netaji was kept under house arrest by the British government in Kolkata (then Calcutta). Netaji played a major role in the freedom struggle in the country. The British were considering him a big threat. But on the night of 16 January, Netaji made a plan and he made the costume of Pathan. Left the house and reached Gomo station with the driver. During this time, the policemen posted outside the house could not recognize him. From there they boarded the Kalka Mail, which was going from Howrah to Delhi.
How to reach Delhi
Netaji, who was sitting in a first class compartment, boarded the train. Reached Delhi avoiding crowd and checking by security personnel. From here he reached Germany and Japan and from there laid the foundation of Azad Hind Fauj. This journey changed the direction of India’s freedom struggle forever.
How long did the train run with the same name?
From 1866 till 2021, this train continued to run under the name Kalka Mail. Many generations of people traveled on this Kalka Mail. On the 124th birth anniversary of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose i.e. in 2021, Indian Railways named this historical train ‘Netaji Express’.
how much distance does it cover
At present, train number 12311/12312 Netaji Express is running between Howrah to Kalka every day. It travels a distance of approximately 1,700 kilometers in 25-26 hours. It has AC, sleeper and general coach. That means there is this train for every class.
How many stops does the train have today?
Today this train has a total of 41 stops. Starting from Howrah Junction and going through Burdwan Junction, Durgapur, Asansol Junction, Dhanbad Junction, Gomoh, NSC Bose Junction, Gaya Junction, D.D. It reaches Kalka via major stations like Upadhyay Junction, Prayagraj Junction, Kanpur Central, Tundla Junction, Ghaziabad, Delhi, Panipat, Kurukshetra, Ambala Cantt, Chandigarh.
