Katwa's Historic Narrow Gauge Steam Engine, Linked to Tarashankar Bandyopadhyay, Faces Neglect and Decay in East Bardhaman
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Katwa's Historic Narrow-Gauge Coaches Rust Away: A Neglected Legacy
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News18•21-02-2026, 12:20
Katwa's Historic Narrow-Gauge Coaches Rust Away: A Neglected Legacy
•Katwa's century-old narrow-gauge railway, once a lifeline and inspiration for litterateur Tarashankar Bandyopadhyay, is now in ruins.
•Historic coaches, including those from the 1914 AK-15 steam engine era, are rusting and overgrown with bushes at Katwa station's workshop.
•The Bardhaman–Katwa and Katwa–Amodpur narrow-gauge lines, originally owned by McLeod Company, came under Indian Railways in 1966.
•Steam engine services ceased in 1995, replaced by diesel, and narrow-gauge operations completely shut down in 2014 for broad-gauge conversion.
•Locals and teachers express concern over the neglect, calling for immediate restoration to preserve this significant piece of history and prevent antisocial activities.
