TTT NEWS NETWORK
KOLKATA | 9 MARCH 2026
In the city where the morning begins with the silt-laden breeze of the Ganges and the ringing of century-old temple bells, a new feather of modernity is about to be added to Bally’s crown. Hand in hand with the ‘Amrit Bharat Station Scheme’—adopted with the goal of modernizing Indian Railways—Bally Station in West Bengal is set to appear in a new form. Removing long-standing dilapidation, this important railway junction of Howrah district is going to get a modern, shiny, and aesthetic look. To ensure passenger comfort and modern infrastructure, approximately ₹30 crore, including the cost of a foot overbridge, has been allocated for the reconstruction and beautification of this station.
Once, this city was the center of Tols (traditional schools) and Sanskrit studies. Although modern schools and colleges have cropped up across the city in keeping with the times, the classical elegance and respect for education are still maintained in every household of Bally. From Durga Puja to Kartik Puja on the banks of the Ganges—the touch of old heritage and neighborhood adda can still be found in every festival of Bally, which is almost on the verge of extinction in the rush of the mechanical city. When the serene ghats, blessed by the memories of Sri Ramakrishna Deva, stand quietly beside the modern engineering of the Nivedita Setu, it feels as if modernity and tradition are walking hand in hand like two siblings.
The main attraction of Bally to tourists is its calm Ganges and ancient ghats. Bally Ghat Station—this railway route takes tourists directly to the opposite side of the Dakshineswar Kali Temple. The role of the railway in the tourism industry here is immense because whenever the people of Kolkata or the suburbs seek a little spiritual peace, their first choice is Bally-Belur or Adyapith, the main backbone of which is this railway route.
The geographical location of Bally has made it an inseparable junction between Howrah and Kolkata. Vivekananda Setu (Bally Bridge) and Nivedita Setu—these two pairs of pillars act as a bridge between these two cities. In the field of railway communication, Bally is a unique milestone. Bally, Bally Ghat, and Rajchandrapur, woven in a parallel rhythm of iron, are like a magical junction that has tied this ancient settlement of Bengal with the thread of North India’s Himachal to the seashores of South India. Although this station, connecting the two main branches of Sealdah and Howrah, was somewhat lagging behind in terms of modernization, its appearance is changing radically in the new project. A bunch of new services are being added to make the movement of passengers at Bally station more accessible and comfortable. The exterior of the station, i.e., the ‘facade’, will be created keeping the heritage of Bally in mind, where the touch of Bengal’s classical architecture will emerge even amidst the modern structure. At the entrance of the station, wide roads, decorated gardens, and lighting will catch the eye, which will bring a moment of relief to the minds of tired train passengers. The station is being made completely friendly for specially-abled (Divyangjan) passengers; as part of this, there are new lifts and escalators for the convenience of the elderly and specially-abled persons. Besides, there are low-height ticket counters for wheelchair users. For the convenience of visually impaired passengers, tactile pathways are being installed in the station and Braille maps are being placed at important locations. State-of-the-art information display boards are being installed inside the station so that passengers do not have any difficulty in understanding the movement of trains. There are sophisticated help booths for emergency information for passengers. Along with this, proper arrangements for pure drinking water are being made on every platform. A wide modern foot overbridge for going from one platform of the station to another. Clear signage and modern indicator boards are being installed in every corner of the station so that passengers can easily understand the destination and position of the train. Keeping security in mind, the entire station premises are being covered with CCTV cameras. Improved quality sound systems and emergency call points are being installed. Comfortable and durable furniture is being provided to decorate the platforms and waiting halls.
Bally has always been proud of its culture. When the modern railway station takes its full shape, it will be a unique landmark at the gateway to North Kolkata. Emerging from the dust-laden pages of history books, Bally is now stepping into the era of smart technology. The coexistence of that old Bally sitting on the ghats of the Ganges and the modern Bally mixed with the clatter of trains will be the success of the Amrit Bharat project.
The Indian Railway system is currently going through a phase of unprecedented change. While on one hand, modern trains like Vande Bharat Express and Amrit Bharat Express trains are infusing new energy into rail travel across the country, on the other hand, the railway infrastructure is also being strengthened at a rapid pace. Works like laying new railway lines, introducing automatic signaling systems, expansion of electrification, and station redevelopment are being conducted in mission mode. Moreover, Indian Railways has also taken decisive steps in achieving the goal of 100% electrification. Under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, more than 1300 railway stations across the country are being redeveloped in modern forms. As part of this initiative, 101 railway stations in West Bengal are being redeveloped.
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