West Bengal Politics & Governance

Eastern Railway plans 276 special-train trips for Holi and Dol

1 March 2026

Eastern Railway arranged 276 special-train trips for the Holi and Dol festival period to address passenger demand. The plan comprised 66 trips by Eastern Railway trains, 116 by trains from other zones starting or ending within its network, and 94 by trains passing through it; routes included Kolkata–New Jalpaiguri and Sealdah–Malda Town.

The railway also planned to deploy Railway Protection Force personnel, strengthen ticket checks and maintain drinking-water supplies at stations and on trains.

Key Facts

• Holi celebrates spring’s arrival and is also known as Dol Jatra in Bengal.

Srirampur health centre operates from rented premises as new building remains unfinished

1 March 2026

Srirampur Su-swasthya Kendra in Patra, Banshihari block, South Dinajpur, was providing maternal and basic health services from a rented house while its own building remained unfinished. The rented premises had two beds, compared with 20 beds listed in official records; services included normal deliveries and maternal and preliminary health checks.

Construction began in early 2023 and was expected to finish by the end of 2025. Health-centre staff said some complicated maternity cases had to be referred elsewhere because of the bed shortage.

Election Commission announces reconsideration process for voters with deleted names

1 March 2026

The Election Commission announced a reconsideration process for voters whose names had been deleted, including people who missed hearings or said they had not received notices. The Chief Electoral Officer’s office was preparing an application format for submission to the district magistrate; applications were to be checked before voters were called for another hearing.

The reports put the number of deleted names at 546,053. Reconsideration would involve document checks and review, not automatic restoration to the electoral roll.

Key Facts

• The Election Commission of India is a constitutional body empowered to conduct free and fair elections.

West Bengal SSC holds Group C recruitment examination

1 March 2026

The West Bengal School Service Commission held its Group C school-staff recruitment written examination across the state. Candidates whose jobs had been lost and applicants from outside West Bengal took part; no examination results were reported.

The commission barred entry after 11:45 a.m. and instructed candidates not to wear boots or closed shoes. It also sent examination centres lists of candidates declared ineligible.

Election Commission plans second tranche of 240 central-force companies

2 March 2026

The Election Commission planned a second tranche of 240 companies of central forces for West Bengal ahead of the Assembly election. A first tranche of 240 companies had already been sent; the second tranche was forthcoming, including an allocation of 18 companies for Kolkata.

The planned deployment was intended to support area inspections and route marches ahead of the election. The source lists proposed allocations across districts and police commissionerates.

Key Facts

• The Election Commission of India is constitutionally empowered to conduct free and fair elections.
• Central Armed Police Forces units can be deployed to support state governments as required.

Kalyani Expressway and associated road works inaugurated

2 March 2026

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee inaugurated the Kalyani Expressway and associated road works, including a three-lane, 1.5-km flyover linking the Belgharia Expressway at Nimta to the Kalyani Expressway. The route connects the Belgharia Expressway junction with the Kapa–Bara Jaguli area.

The expressway is intended to improve road connections between Kolkata, Kalyani and surrounding areas. The works also included a six-lane, 6.5-km elevated corridor between Kapa and Bara Jaguli.

Key Facts

• West Bengal Highway Development Corporation develops the Kalyani Expressway.

Foundation stone laid for proposed Hazarduari University

2 March 2026

A foundation stone was laid in Lalbagh, Murshidabad, for the state government’s proposed Hazarduari University. State minister Firhad Hakim led the ceremony; the planned institution is intended to expand higher-education opportunities and preserve regional history.

Centre forms committee to examine CAA citizenship applications in West Bengal

2 March 2026

The Union Home Ministry formed an empowered committee in West Bengal to examine citizenship applications under the Citizenship Amendment Act, 2019. It is tasked with assessing eligible applications, deciding on them and coordinating identity verification with district officials; its membership includes central officials and invited representatives of the state government and railways.

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