This is India’s oldest running passenger train, first operated from…,not Shatabdi Express, Rajdhani; its name is…

Trains are one of the easiest, most convenient, and affordable means of transport for long-distance travel. They connect cities, towns, and even remote areas efficiently, often with scenic views. Ticket prices are generally budget-friendly, and various classes are available to suit different needs. Every day, Indian railways operate several trains such as Vande Bharat Express, Rajdhani Express, Shatabdi Express, Amrit Bharat Express, Garib Rath Express, and Tejas Express. But do you know which is India’s oldest running passenger train?

This is India’s oldest running passenger train, first operated from…; not Shatabdi Express, Rajdhani; its name is…

Surprisingly, the Indian Railways has been around for over 160 years. Well, it all began on April 16, 1853, when the first passenger train journeyed from Bori Bunder (now Mumbai) to Thane. This milestone marked the start of an incredible transformation in India’s transport system. What started as a single route has grown into the fourth-largest railway network in the world.

Over the decades, Indian Railways has evolved and transformed, connecting distant corners of the country. It has supported economic growth and become an essential part of everyday life for millions of people. At present, the Railways operate around 3,000 express trains daily, with millions of people traveling in them.

Have you ever been curious about the history of the train you’re traveling on? It might be a modern marvel or a historic icon that has stood the test of time. Among the thousands of trains crisscrossing the country, some have stories that go back decades. Join us as we set out to explore the fascinating legacy of the oldest running passenger train in India.

The iconic Howrah–Kalka Mail holds the honor of being India’s oldest running passenger train. This legendary train has been in operation for an incredible 158 years. It connects Howrah in Kolkata, the capital of West Bengal, with Kalka, a town in the Panchkula district of Haryana, continuing to serve as a vital link between the eastern and northern parts of the country.

The train first began operations on January 1, 1866, under the name Howrah–Peshawar Express. Initially, it ran between Howrah and Delhi, and in 1891, the route was extended further to Kalka, establishing a crucial connection between eastern and northern India.

The Howrah-Kalka Mail, a historic train dating back to the British era, was originally used by British officials to travel between Kolkata, the former capital of India, and Shimla, the summer capital of British India.

The train has undergone three name changes throughout its history. Originally known as the East India Railway Mail, it was later renamed the Kalka Mail. In 1941, it is believed that Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose used this train, boarding at Gomoh in the Dhanbad district, to evade the British authorities. If media reports are to be believed in 2021, on the occasion of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s 125th birth anniversary, the Narendra Modi government renamed the Howrah-Kalka Mail as the ‘Netaji Express’ in his honor.

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