18061/18062 Santragachi-Khatipura Express: New Train to Connect Jharkhand with Jaipur
Indian Railways is preparing to introduce a new direct rail connection between West Bengal and Rajasthan through Jharkhand. The Santragachi–Khatipura Express (18061/18062) will connect Santragachi Junction with Khatipura, near Jaipur, via Tatanagar and Ranchi.
According to a report published on October 23, 2026, the inaugural ceremony is scheduled for October 26, 2026, at Santragachi and Tatanagar stations. South Eastern Railway has also released timings for the inaugural special train, numbered 08181 Santragachi–Khatipura Inaugural Special.
The new weekly express is expected to benefit passengers travelling between Jharkhand and Rajasthan, particularly people travelling from the Tatanagar and Ranchi areas to Jaipur.
However, the regular operating dates for trains 18061 and 18062 have not yet been announced in the supplied report. Passengers should check the final railway notification before planning their journey.
18061/18062 Santragachi-Khatipura Express: Train Details
| Train Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Train number, onward service | 18061 |
| Train number, return service | 18062 |
| Train name | Santragachi–Khatipura Express |
| Starting station | Santragachi Junction |
| Destination station | Khatipura, Jaipur |
| Route highlights | Tatanagar, Chandil, Purulia, Muri and Ranchi |
| Frequency | Weekly, as reported |
| Inaugural date | 26 October 2026, as reported |
| Inaugural special train number | 08181 |
| Coach type | LHB |
| Total coaches | 16 |
| Regular service start date | Awaiting official notification |
Important: Train 08181 is the inaugural special mentioned in the report. Its timings should not automatically be treated as the regular timetable for train 18061.
18061 Train Route: Santragachi to Khatipura
Train number 18061 Santragachi–Khatipura Express is planned to connect Santragachi Junction in West Bengal with Khatipura in Rajasthan.
The route passes through important stations in Jharkhand, including Tatanagar and Ranchi. It will also serve stations such as Chandil, Purulia and Muri, according to the reported inaugural special route.
Major stations on the 18061 train route
| Station | State or region |
|---|---|
| Santragachi Junction | West Bengal |
| Tatanagar Junction | Jharkhand |
| Chandil Junction | Jharkhand |
| Purulia Junction | West Bengal |
| Muri Junction | Jharkhand |
| Ranchi | Jharkhand |
| Khatipura | Rajasthan |
The above list highlights the stations mentioned in the supplied report. It should not be treated as the complete final commercial stoppage list until the regular timetable is officially published.
How will the new train help passengers?
The Santragachi–Khatipura Express is expected to make travel between Jharkhand and Jaipur more convenient.
- Tatanagar to Jaipur: A direct rail connection is planned through Khatipura.
- Ranchi to Jaipur: Passengers in the Ranchi area will have another train option for travelling to Rajasthan.
- Jharkhand to Rajasthan: The service will improve connectivity for people travelling for work, family visits and other purposes.
- West Bengal to Jaipur: The train will connect Santragachi with Khatipura near Jaipur.
Khatipura is a railway station serving the Jaipur area, making the service relevant to passengers travelling to Rajasthan’s capital.
18062 Train Route: Khatipura to Santragachi
Train number 18062 Khatipura–Santragachi Express is the planned return service of the weekly express.
It is intended to connect Khatipura in Rajasthan with Santragachi in West Bengal via the Jharkhand rail corridor, including Tatanagar and Ranchi.
The reported route highlights include:
- Khatipura
- Ranchi
- Muri
- Purulia
- Chandil
- Tatanagar Junction
- Santragachi Junction
This is a route overview based on the supplied report, not a confirmed complete station list for train 18062. The final direction-wise schedule, intermediate stoppages and departure times should be checked against the official railway timetable.
18061 Train Schedule and Time Table
The supplied report does not provide the complete regular timetable for train 18061. It provides timings for the 08181 Santragachi–Khatipura Inaugural Special, including its journey from Tatanagar towards Khatipura.
The reported inaugural special timings are listed below.
| Station | Arrival / Departure |
|---|---|
| Tatanagar Junction | Departure at 2:00 PM |
| Chandil Junction | 3:15 PM |
| Purulia Junction | 4:08 PM |
| Muri Junction | 5:03 PM |
| Ranchi | 6:20 PM |
| Khatipura | Arrival at 8:00 PM the following day |
Please note: These timings are for the inaugural special train 08181, as reported. The supplied report does not clarify whether every listed intermediate time is an arrival or departure time. It also does not provide the complete schedule from Santragachi to Tatanagar.
Passengers should wait for the official timetable for train 18061 before relying on these timings for regular travel.
18062 Train Schedule and Time Table
The supplied report does not provide the regular timetable for train 18062, the return service from Khatipura to Santragachi.
| Train detail | Current information |
|---|---|
| Train number | 18062 |
| Direction | Khatipura to Santragachi |
| Frequency | Weekly, as reported |
| Departure time from Khatipura | Not provided in the supplied report |
| Arrival time at Santragachi | Not provided in the supplied report |
| Complete station-wise timetable | Awaiting official notification |
Passengers looking for the 18062 train time table should check official railway sources when the return schedule becomes available.
08181 Santragachi–Khatipura Inaugural Special: What You Should Know
Train number 08181 is the inaugural special mentioned in the report for the launch of the Santragachi–Khatipura connection.
According to the supplied news report, the inaugural ceremony is scheduled for October 26, 2026, and the special train will depart from Tatanagar at 2:00 PM, reaching Ranchi at 6:20 PM and Khatipura at 8:00 PM the following day.
The report also mentions an inauguration programme at Santragachi and Tatanagar. The regular weekly service, however, will operate under train numbers 18061 and 18062, with its commencement details to be announced separately.
Passengers should confirm the latest operational status before travelling.
Santragachi–Khatipura Express Coach Composition
The supplied report states that the train will have 16 LHB coaches.
| Coach type | Number of coaches |
|---|---|
| General coaches | 2 |
| General coach with luggage van | 1 |
| Sleeper Class | 8 |
| AC 3-Tier | 1 |
| AC 3-Tier Economy | 3 |
| Generator car with brake van | 1 |
| Total | 16 |
This coach composition is based on the supplied report. Passengers should check the final coach arrangement when the train’s operational details are published.
When Will Train 18061/18062 Start Running Regularly?
The inauguration of the Santragachi–Khatipura connection is reported for October 26, 2026.
However, the supplied report states that South Eastern Railway will issue a separate notification about when the regular weekly service, numbered 18061/18062, will begin operating.
The inaugural special and the regular express service are different operational details. Passengers should not assume that the regular service will start on the same date without an official announcement.
How to Check Train 18061/18062 Ticket Availability
Once the regular service is listed for reservations, passengers can check its booking status through official railway channels.
- Visit the official IRCTC website.
- Enter your source and destination stations.
- Select your intended journey date.
- Search for train 18061 or 18062, depending on the direction.
- Check the available classes, fare and seat availability.
- Confirm the train’s running date before booking.
For the inaugural special, check the relevant train number and journey date separately. The supplied report does not confirm that regular reservations have opened.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is train number 18061?
Train 18061 is the planned Santragachi–Khatipura Express service from Santragachi in West Bengal to Khatipura near Jaipur in Rajasthan.
2. What is train number 18062?
Train 18062 is the planned return service from Khatipura to Santragachi.
3. What is the 18061 train route?
The route connects Santragachi with Khatipura via important stations including Tatanagar, Chandil, Purulia, Muri and Ranchi, according to the supplied report. The final commercial stoppage list should be checked in the official timetable.
4. What is the 18061 train time table?
The complete regular timetable for train 18061 is not included in the supplied report. The report provides selected timings for the inaugural special, train 08181, from Tatanagar towards Khatipura.
5. What is the 18062 train time table?
The supplied report does not provide the complete timetable for train 18062. Its departure, intermediate station timings and arrival time should be confirmed through the official railway notification.
6. When will the Santragachi–Khatipura Express be inaugurated?
The supplied report states that the inaugural ceremony is scheduled for October 26, 2026, at Santragachi and Tatanagar stations.
7. What is train number 08181?
Train 08181 is the Santragachi–Khatipura Inaugural Special mentioned in the report. It is distinct from the planned regular weekly service numbered 18061/18062.
8. What time does the inaugural special leave Tatanagar?
According to the supplied report, train 08181 is scheduled to depart Tatanagar at 2:00 PM.
9. What time will the inaugural special reach Ranchi?
The supplied report lists Ranchi at 6:20 PM on the day of departure from Tatanagar.
10. What time will the inaugural special reach Khatipura?
The supplied report lists an arrival time of 8:00 PM on the following day.
11. Will the Santragachi–Khatipura Express run weekly?
Yes, the supplied report describes the planned regular express as a weekly service. Passengers should confirm the final operating days in the official notification.
12. How many coaches will the Santragachi–Khatipura Express have?
The supplied report lists 16 LHB coaches, including general, sleeper, AC 3-Tier, AC 3-Tier Economy and luggage or generator-related coaches.
13. Will the train help passengers travelling from Ranchi to Jaipur?
The planned service will connect the Ranchi area with Khatipura near Jaipur, offering another rail travel option. Passengers should check the final schedule and stoppages before making travel plans.
14. Has the regular service start date been confirmed?
The supplied report says that a separate notification will announce when trains 18061/18062 begin regular operations. The regular start date should therefore be confirmed through an official railway announcement.
Conclusion
The planned 18061/18062 Santragachi–Khatipura Express will create a useful rail link between West Bengal, Jharkhand and Rajasthan. By connecting Tatanagar and Ranchi with Khatipura near Jaipur, the weekly service is expected to provide another travel option for passengers moving between eastern India and Rajasthan.
The reported inaugural special, train 08181, has selected timings available from Tatanagar to Khatipura. However, the complete regular timetable for trains 18061 and 18062 remains subject to the official notification.
For the latest updates on the 18061 train route, 18062 train schedule, Santragachi–Khatipura Express timetable, coach composition and regular service commencement, keep following Your Railway Guide.
Editorial source note: This article has been rewritten in original English using the news report supplied for reference. The inauguration details and special-train timings are attributed to that report. Verify operational details against the official South Eastern Railway notification before publishing updates.