Andolan Local to be flagged off on Sunday

The first local train with a name, Andolan Local, to run a 34 kilometer distance between Singur and Howrah, will be flagged off on Sunday, August 2 by the Railway Minister.

Mamata Banerjee, had announced around a week back that 'Andolan Express' will run between Singur and Howrah from August 1. However, operating an express train over such a short distance may not prove to be financially viable for the Railways as many passengers might not want to pay double the fare of a local train.

The Andolan Local, an all-stop train, will take around 58 minutes to travel the distance. Already 24 pairs of Tarakeshwar Locals on the route besides two pairs of Haripal Locals. It was a busy traffic route, confirmed Railway sources. Andolan Local will have nine EMU coaches. Mamata's drive to start a local train service with the name Andolan connecting Singur is seen as an attempt to highlight her party's agitation at Singur last year that led to the Tatas' pulling out from Singur for Sanand as the site for their Nano plant.