Transport in West Bengal

Once a major centre of trade and commerce, the state of West Bengal is easily accessible from all fronts because of its connectivity to roadways, aviation, railways, including trams and metro along with river port.

The total length of surface road in West Bengal is over 92,023 km; Indian highways comprise 2,377 km and state highways 2,393 km. Average speed on state highways varies between 40-50 kilometers per hour; in villages and towns, speeds are as low as 20-25 km/h due to the proliferation of speed-bump. Total railway length is 3,825 km. Kolkata is the headquarters of two divisions of the Indian railways- Eastern railway and South Eastern railway. The Northeast Frontier Railway runs in the northern parts of the state. The kolkata Metro is the country`s first underground railway, and the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The state`s only international airport is Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport at Dum Dum, Kolkata. Bagdogra airport near Siliguri is another significant airport in the state. Kolkata is a major river-port in eastern India. Ferry is a principal mode of transport in the southern part of the state, especially in the Sundarbans area. Kolkata is the only city in India to have trams as a mode of transport and these are operated by the Calcutta Tramways Company. Hired forms of mechanized transport include metered taxis and auto rickshaws, which often carry out specific routes in cities. In most of the state, cycle rickshaws, and in Kolkata, hand-pulled rickshaws, are also used for short-distance travel.

More on west Bengal
Tribes of West Bengal Bengali Theatre Temples of West Bengal Colleges of West Bengal
Tribal jewellery of West Bengal Bengali Language Districts of West Bengal Medical colleges of West Bengal
Airports in West Bengal Crafts of West Bengal Cities of West Bengal West Bengal Cricketers
Monuments of West Bengal Bengali Wedding Personalities of West Bengal Bengali Literature
Folk Dances of West Bengal Bengali Folktale Museums of West Bengal Bengali Newspapers
Festivals of West Bengal Bengali Cinema Universities of West Bengal Places to See in West Bengal


Recently updated articles in States of India

History of Thissur District
History of Thissur District Thumbnail

History of Thissur District

Early History of Thissur District explains flourishing of the port cities. Now these port cities are transformed into archaeological sites.

Tippi Orchid Research Centre, Arunachal Pradesh
Tippi Orchid Research Centre, Arunachal Pradesh Thumbnail

Tippi Orchid Research Centre, Arunachal Pradesh

Tippi Orchid Research Centre in Arunachal Pradesh is renowned for its rich collection of exotic and endangered orchids. Surrounded by lush rainforest...

Tourism in Nashik District
Tourism in Nashik District Thumbnail

Tourism in Nashik District

Pilgrimage tourism in Nashik district involves visiting the various places of Hindu and Jain worship located here. Some of the holiest sites for Hind...

Mangadu, Kerala
Mangadu, Kerala Thumbnail

Mangadu, Kerala

Mangadu in Kerala’s Kollam district is a significant megalithic site known for its urn burials, cist burials, menhirs, and stone circles. Excavations...

Devaswom
Devaswom Thumbnail

Devaswom

History of Devaswom is not very ancient and can be dated back to late seventeenth century.