Direct train services from here to a larger part of Santhal Parganas division in Jharkhand could soon be a reality. Malda divisional railway manager (DRM) Ravindra Gupta on Friday said subject to clearance by the commissioner railway saftey (CRS), passenger train services on the Mandar Hill (Banka district) and Hansdiha (Santhal Parganas) section would be introduced from here in morning and evening hours soon.
Mandar Hill, at present a halt, would be upgraded as full-fledged station after the introduction of train services on the new section, Gupta said. The new line is an extension of Bhagalpur-Mandar Hill branch line which, as per plan, will be finally extended up to Rampurhat in West Bengal via Dumka. Bhagalpur railway area manager S.K Murmu said two halts --Kumra Dol and Pandey Tola-- had been set up on the 24-km route. Hansdiha, which would be terminating point at present for trains, had been developed as full-fledged station.