Nature, Flow and Constraints of the Railway Commuters: An Analytical Study on Sealdah Section

Railways are the major transportation networks upon which the development of any country depends. It acts as veins through which movement of the commodities and flow of the passengers occurs. Sealdah station is one of the important node in terms of railways movement in West Bengal. This is an important part of the suburban railway system around Kolkata. Huge segment of commuters move through the railway lines surrounding Sealdah railway station. Maximum flow of the local trains is circulated within nearest peripheral parts of the city core areas. Thus, the area of influence is also confined within these peripheral areas. Degree of interaction with the city core areas and the surrounding outskirts mainly occur through passengers flow. The growth potential zones are also projected within these areas of maximum degree of interaction. The outer segments have relatively poorerpassengers flow and resultant growth. In spite of the huge flow, lots of constraints are faced by the commuters related to the paucity and inadequacy of railway services. The services may be upgraded and maintained up to a better level through quite attention. These management related approaches must be focused to have better railway services within Kolkata suburban railway system surrounding Sealdah station. Keywords