From Superstition to Tourism: The Tale of Begunkodar Railway Station

Begunkodar, located 260 kilometers away from the bustling city of Kolkata in the state of West Bengal, India, lies the obscure Purulia district. It sits 50 kilometers from the neighboring Purulia district and is home to an eerie, long-forgotten railway station – Begunkodar railway station

For nearly four decades, this station had remained desolate and shrouded in superstition, making it a place that locals dared not approach. Ghostly tales and inexplicable occurrences plagued the station's reputation, deterring even the bravest souls from seeking employment there.

The year was 1958, and for those residing along the Begunkodar line, an ardent plea echoed through the years. They beseeched the government for a railway station in their town. The railway tracks ran tantalizingly close to their village, yet to catch a train, they had to embark on a 40-kilometer journey. The villagers implored for a station that would serve their needs.

The government pondered the request but faced a crucial question – where could a new station be built? Enter Lakshan Kumar, a resident who knew the lay of the land well. With unwavering determination, he declared, "We have plenty of available land. We can acquire as many acres as needed to establish a railway station." And so, the construction of a railway station commenced.

In 1962, laborers began flocking to the site, ready to breathe life into Begunkodar Railway Station. By 1967, the station was operational, with Mohan assuming the role of station master. However, rumors of the supernatural soon plagued the station.

Whispers among the locals began to circulate. They claimed that a ghostly apparition would manifest near the tracks, particularly at night when a train was due. Witnesses described a spectral figure, a girl adorned in a white saree, dancing perilously close to the oncoming locomotive. It seemed as though a collision was imminent, but when the train thundered past, the ghostly girl had vanished into thin air.

Station Master Mohan recounted these eerie sightings to those who would listen. "I've seen her – a woman in a white saree. She appears, dances, and vanishes," he solemnly proclaimed. Skepticism abounded, but the tales persisted.

The station's subsequent masters encountered similar phenomena, leading to perplexed inquiries within the railway department. "Why does this happen at our station? Do others witness such occurrences?" they asked. The resounding response was that no one wished to go near the station due to its haunted reputation.

As word spread, the issue reached the ears of the local MLA (Member of Legislative Assembly). The MLA learned of the sightings and the subsequent illnesses and deaths of those who claimed to have witnessed the ghostly apparition. In response, the government took a decisive step, ordering the closure of Begunkodar Railway Station in the interest of public safety. Thus, the station remained locked and abandoned for a staggering 42 years.

The station building, standing alone in its desolation, became a chilling sight. Surrounded by sparse agricultural land and devoid of any vegetation, it exuded an aura of fear, discouraging anyone from venturing close, especially after nightfall.

Then, in 2009, a ray of hope emerged. Residents made a fervent request to Mamata Banerjee, the Chief Minister of West Bengal, to reopen the station. They appealed for the chance to access the railway without fearing the ghostly apparition. Their plea was heard, and in 2009, Begunkodar Railway Station was resurrected.

However, apprehension lingered among potential passengers. While it was expected that 1,500 people would use the station daily, only around 600 to 700 individuals dared to venture there. The station opened briefly at 4:30 in the morning when the ticket counter attendant arrived, closing again at 5:30 in the evening. The station lay dormant until 9:00 at night when it reopened briefly. Fear continued to haunt the station, but some curious souls were eager to confront the mysterious apparition.

One night, a group of 11 intrepid explorers arrived at Begunkodar Railway Station, determined to uncover the truth behind the ghostly sightings. Armed with various detection devices, they scoured the station premises. From the ticket counter to the tracks and beyond, they searched for any evidence of the paranormal.

Hours passed, and the devices remained silent. The scientists concluded that there were no signs of ghosts, suggesting that the eerie phenomena might be attributed to natural sounds or nearby wildlife. However, the local villagers, upon seeing their torchlights, began adding to the mystique, claiming that anyone who approached the station could witness the ghostly apparition. This peculiar twist gave rise to a new form of tourism – ghost tourism.

Enthusiasts interested in the supernatural began flocking to the station, hoping to glimpse the elusive ghost. Begunkodar Railway Station had inadvertently become a unique tourist destination, providing employment opportunities for some residents. Yet, the haunting tales persisted, and few railway employees were willing to work there.

Further investigation revealed another layer of the story. Begunkodar proximity to the border made it a potential hotspot for Naxal activities. Railway employees from neighboring regions feared for their safety when assigned to the station, citing the danger posed by Naxals. This apprehension, rooted in reality, further deterred them from working at the station.

While the railway employees' refusal to work at Begunkodar Railway Station was understandable, it begged the question: why had the station remained locked for 42 years? The answer, it seemed, was entwined with the complex politics of the region.

The Purulia district was inhabited predominantly by tribal communities, constituting 60 to 70% of the population. In the years following the station's closure in 1967, political elections had been fiercely contested. Promises were made, and votes were sought with assurances to either open or keep the station closed. Politics had undeniably played a pivotal role in keeping the station's doors shut for four decades.

Today, the station stands in limbo – without a station master, platforms, or electricity. Although solar panels were installed, they were promptly stolen. The question of whether the station is genuinely haunted or merely plagued by superstitions and political machinations remains unanswered.

Beyond Begunkodar Railway Station, one might wonder if there are other mysterious places like this across India, hiding in the shadows of folklore and legend. Are there other stations where the paranormal and the political collide, weaving tales of intrigue and mystique? The answer may lie in the depths of India's enigmatic and diverse landscape, awaiting exploration by the curious and the courageous alike…