Sealdah Rajdhani was Innaugruated by then Railway Minister (now current Chief Minister of West Bengal) Mamata Banerjee in 1 July 2000.
Here is the proposal of Sealdah Rajdhani in the Rail budget speech 2000-2001.
Full...
more... speech of Railway Budget 2000-01 by Mamata Banerjee is also Uploaded.
But why Mamata Banerjee choose 1 July to innaugruate? Was it to pay tribute to Bidhan Chandra Ray?
Literally say, "Onar onupreronatei Sealdah Rajdhani Express chalu hoi." Which means Sealdah Rajdhani was started by Mamata Banerjee's inspiration!