Kolkata : Eastern Railway’s Sealdah Division has announced a major upgrade and rationalization of its suburban services, introducing new AC and EMU trains, extending weekend AC local operations and streamlining routes to eliminate confusion and drastically improve connectivity for thousands of daily commuters.
These changes, which initially launch as special services, are set to enhance comfort and connectivity, particularly during late-evening hours and for weekend travel.
New AC EMU Locals for Enhanced Comfort
The Sealdah division is introducing a brand-new AC EMU Local service between Sealdah and Kalyani (KYI). This service specifically targets the crucial late afternoon hours, providing a modern travel option for the Kalyani area—a significant educational and medical hub.
The schedule runs Monday to Saturday:
- Sealdah to Kalyani: Departs SDAH at 15:10, arrives KYI at 16:32.
- Kalyani to Sealdah: Departs KYI at 17:02, arrives SDAH at 18:20.
Enroute stoppages include Bidhannagar, Dumdum, Belgharia, Sodepur, Khardah, Barrackpore, Shyamnagar, Naihati, and Kanchrapara.
Weekend AC Local Services Extended
Responding to high demand, the popular AC EMU Local service between Sealdah (SDAH) and Krishnanagar City Jn (KNJ) will now run on Sundays, in addition to the existing Monday-to-Saturday schedule. This extension facilitates more comfortable weekend travel for families and commuters.
Sunday Schedule:
- Sealdah to Krishnanagar: Departs SDAH at 11:55, arrives KNJ at 14:20.
- Krishnanagar to Sealdah: Departs KNJ at 15:57, arrives SDAH at 18:20.
Boosting Metro Connectivity from Dum Dum Cantonment
A significant highlight is a new service designed to ensure seamless connectivity for passengers using the Kolkata Metro.
- A new Dum Dum Cantonment (DDC)—Bangaon (BNJ) Local will depart DDC at 20:05 hrs daily.
- Another new service will run from Bangaon (BNJ) to Barasat (BT), departing BNJ at 22:00 hrs.
This strategic move immensely benefits evening Metro commuters traveling towards Bangaon, ensuring a smooth transition from the Dum Dum Metro station area to the outer suburbs during peak rush hours.
Route Rationalization for Bangaon-Bound Travellers
To eliminate passenger confusion, Eastern Railway plans to streamline Bangaon-bound ‘Up’ trains. Trains currently terminating at intermediate stations between Barasat and Bangaon (e.g., Duttapukur, Thakurnagar, and Gobardanga) are being considered for extension all the way to the main terminal at Bangaon (BNJ) in the near future.
Additionally, new stoppages have been proposed for the Ranaghat-Bangaon-Sealdah AC Local at Gopal Nagar and Bamangachhi.
DRM Sealdah, Rajeev Saxena, stated that these improvements reflect the division’s commitment to modernizing infrastructure and prioritizing passenger convenience. “The new Dumdum Cantt. train connection those using the Kolkata Metro, ensuring a smooth transition to reach their destinations after a long day, while the Sunday AC service extension offers a quality travel experience for families,” he remarked.
