How To Reach West Bengal

West Bengal can be described as the most important state in the eastern part of the country. It makes way to the north-eastern states of India and is blessed with unique geographical characteristic features. It has the great Himalayas to the north and bound by the Bay of Bengal in the south. Architectural splendor, beautiful forests, rich fertile land, mixed cultural flavors and an eventful past makes West Bengal a coveted tourist destination. West Bengal is extremely well connected with every city of the country by means of a well-developed railway system, air and also by road.

West Bengal boasts of three airports today. Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport is its primary airport located at Dum Dum in the capital city of Kolkata. It has numerous domestic and international flights operating to and from the city. The Bagdogra Airport is located in Siliguri in North Bengal. It helps to connect the hilly regions of the state. The third airport is its newest addition, Kazi Nazrul Islam Airport at Durgapur. West Bengal has one of the best public transport systems in the country which connects the airports to the city and to neighboring towns. You can also hire cabs to reach your preferred destination.

Eastern Railway is one of the 18 railway zones of India and it has its headquarters in Kolkata, West Bengal. It has four divisions, namely, Howrah, Sealdah, Malda and Asansol. Howrah and Sealdah Railway Stations are located in the capital city of Kolkata. Trains traveling to and from north-eastern part of the country begin and end at Sealdah while trains coming from west, south and central parts of India begin and end at Howrah.

Other important stations are New Jalpaiguri Station in North Bengal andGhum Station in Darjeeling. The latter holds the distinction of being the highest altitude railway station in the world! Another station worth mention is Kharagpur Station which, until recently, had the longest platform in the world. Each of these stations is a major railhead connecting different parts of the state with rest of the country and their importance cannot be stressed upon enough. You have cabs, buses and other local transports connecting the stations to the neighboring towns and cities.

West Bengal boasts of an extensive network of well-planned roads crisscrossing the state and connecting different regions and the rest of the country. There are a large number of National Highways and State Highways that connect neighboring states like Bihar, Orissa etc. by road. There are roads that also connect the state with bordering countries like Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh. West Bengal has a great public transportation system and has bus services connecting North and South Bengal.

Moving around in West Bengal poses no challenge. West Bengal State Transport Corporation, South Bengal State Transport Corporation, North Bengal State Transport Corporation, private carriers like Volvos do a great task of keeping the state well connected. You can travel to any part of the state with ease. You also have taxis, private cabs and autos plying in all towns and cities that help tourists reach their preferred destinations.