Howrah, May 5, 2025 — As Eastern Railway’s Howrah Division marks its 100th anniversary, it pays tribute to a living relic of India’s rail history: the Netaji Express, formerly the Kalka Mail. Running uninterrupted for 159 years, this iconic train, which began as the East India Railway Mail in 1866, embodies resilience and adaptation. “The Netaji Express is not just a train; it’s a bridge connecting our past and future,” said a senior Eastern Railway official during the centenary celebrations, highlighting its enduring significance.

Launched between Kolkata and Delhi, the train extended to Kalka in 1891, evolving with India’s railway network to become the nation’s longest-running service. Its storied past includes a pivotal moment in 1941 when Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose boarded it from Gomoh to Barari Coke Plant, evading British surveillance during his legendary “Great Escape.” Renamed Netaji Express in 2021 on Bose’s 124th birth anniversary, the train also holds cultural resonance, immortalized in Satyajit Ray’s classic The Mystery of the Fortress. “It’s a symbol of Bengal’s pride,” said passenger Ananya Das, a Kolkata teacher, reflecting on its deep-rooted legacy.

The centenary festivities underscore the train’s role as a moving heritage. Modernized yet steeped in history, it links cities while carrying memories of India’s freedom struggle and literary lore. “We’ve traveled a long journey and aim to inspire future generations,” the railway official added, emphasizing efforts to share this milestone with the public. As the Netaji Express chugs forward, it remains a testament to India’s railway prowess, weaving together nostalgia, progress, and an unbreakable bond with the nation’s soul.