[2] This branch is crucial as it connects the Katwa-Bandel-Howrah/Sealdah route with the Khana-Rampurhat section of the Sahibganj loop, bypassing the Barddhaman Station.

McLeod's Light Railways (MLR) consisted of four 2 ft 6 in (762 mm) narrow-gauge lines in West Bengal.

The railways were built and owned by McLeod & Company, a subsidiary of a London company of managing agents, McLeod Russell & Co. Ltd.[3] Ahmedpur–Katwa Railway connecting Ahmadpur (now Birbhum district) and Katwa (now Purba Bardhaman district), West Bengal opened on 29 September 1917.

The railway was built in 2 ft 6 in (762 mm) gauge and total length was 52 kilometres (32 mi).

[7] This 52 km-long railway section was converted to 1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in) broad gauge, work for which began on 14 January 2013.