Eastern Railway to run Puja special trains to North Bengal and Assam

Eastern Railway has announced a set of special train services connecting Kolkata with North Bengal and Assam to handle the extra passenger load expected during the Puja, Diwali and Chhath season.

Howrah–Lumding service

Train 03005 Howrah–Lumding Puja Special will leave Howrah at 7:15 AM every Friday between October 16 and November 27, arriving at Lumding at 8:00 AM the next day. Seven trips are planned in this direction.

On the return leg, train 03006 Lumding–Howrah Puja Special will depart Lumding at 11:00 AM every Saturday between October 17 and November 28, reaching Howrah at 12:30 PM the following day.

The train will halt at Bandel, Nabadwip Dham, Katwa, Azimganj, Jangipur Road, New Farakka and Malda Town, among other stations, in both directions.

Kolkata–New Jalpaiguri service

Train 03129 Kolkata–New Jalpaiguri Puja Special will run every Saturday and Sunday between October 17 and November 29, leaving Kolkata at 11:10 PM and arriving at New Jalpaiguri at 10:45 AM the next day.

Its return service, train 03130 New Jalpaiguri–Kolkata Puja Special, will operate every Sunday and Monday between October 18 and November 30, departing New Jalpaiguri at 12:45 PM and reaching Kolkata at 12:40 AM the following day.

Stops for this pair include Naihati, Bandel, Nabadwip Dham, Katwa, Azimganj, Jangipur Road, New Farakka and Malda Town in both directions.

Accommodation and booking

Both special trains will offer General Second Class, Sleeper Class and air-conditioned coaches.

Passengers planning festive travel will have to wait for the reservation window to open. The zonal railway has said the date for starting ticket bookings on these services will be notified shortly, after which travellers can check availability and plan their journeys.