New Delhi: Indian Railways has one of the largest rail networks in the world, ensuring smooth commute of lakhs of people every day. In fact, trains are arguably the most sought-after mode of transport in India as it connects every part of the country and the ticket prices of most of the trains are cheap and affordable. Since India has a vast railway network, the country also has some of the most unique and fascinating train stations with each having an interesting story to tell.
While we mostly associate train stations with the din and bustle of life as people rush to and fro, there is one station which is enveloped by an eerie silence. The station in question is the Singhabad Railway Station, and in this article, we will learn the enthralling significance of this place with a strange trivia.
The forgotten story of forlorn Singhabad Railway Station
The Singhabad Railway Station is reportedly considered one of the last railway stations in India as it is situated on the India-Bangladesh border. The station marks the end of India’s border and the beginning of the border of Bangladesh. The station is located in the Habibpur area of the Malda district in West Bengal.
There was once a time when the Singhabad Railway Station was vibrant with passenger trains stopping and people deboarding and onboarding there. It was established during the British Raj and back then, it served as an important link between Kolkata and Dhaka to transport people and goods. So much so that important leaders of the Indian freedom struggle like Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose and Mahatma Gandhi went to the station. After the 1947 Partition, the strategic importance of the station increased and it played a key role in maintaining cross-border rail connectivity. The station has colonial architecture with old ticket counters and signal systems, reminding us of its past glory.
What happened to the station in later years?
In 1971, Bangladesh was formed and in 1978, a bilateral agreement between India and its neighbouring country allowed the operation of goods trains through Singhabad. In 2011, an amendment expanded its role to include transit trains to and from Nepal, enhancing the importance of Singhabad as a crucial transit point for goods and emphasising its strategic importance in regional trade.
Today, the Singhabad Railway Station, which was once bustling with activity, stands as a desolate place. The platforms are empty, ticket counters are shut and passenger trains no longer stop there. The station is maintained by a small group of railway staff with complete emptiness engulfing the place, staring at an uncertain future.
Singhabad Railway Station, located on the India-Bangladesh border, is a poignant relic of India’s railway history. Once a vital link between Kolkata and Dhaka, frequented by freedom fighters like Netaji Bose and Gandhi, it now stands eerily silent. knowledge Knowledge News, Photos and Videos on General Knowledge
