Demand for Kolkata-Sairang Express grows, occupancy 120 pc in a month
The Statesman | 23 October 2025Prime Minister Narendra Modi had inaugurated the Sairang-Bairabi rail Line on 13 September flagging off trains linking Aizawl to Kolkata directly. The commercial services of the Kolkata-Sairang Express were started from 16 September. The running of trains in this part of the country was an important event for the people of the land of hills as it was the first time after Independence when the capital city of Mizoram was linked with railway connectivity. Since its commencement, the train has become quite popular among passengers of the route. According to the divisional railway manager of Sealdah, Rajeev Saxena the train has witnessed a good occupancy percentage in the first month of its commercial runs.
From Kolkata, the train departs from Kolkata station and is operated by the Sealdah Division of the Eastern Railway. The 13125 Kolkata – Sairang tri-weekly express starts from Kolkata every Saturday, Tuesday and Wednesday at 12.25 p.m. to arrive at Sairang at 7.45 p.m. the next day. On the other way, the train 13126 Sairang – Kolkata tri-weekly express departs from Sairang every Monday, Thursday and Friday at 7.15 a.m. to arrive at Kolkata, at 2.30 p.m. the next day. During the journey, the trains run via Badarpur Junction, Guwahati, Goalpara Town, Golakganj, New Jalpaiguri, Malda Town en route.
According to the data, in the first month, the 13125 Kolkata-Sairang Express train ran thrice in a week and made 11 trips till 9 October. In the other way, the train 13126 Sairang- Kolkata Express train has made 10 trips during the period.
A closer look at the data reveals a good percentage of occupancy of the train in the first month of the commencement of commercial services. In 13125 Kolkata-Sairang Express, the occupancy percentage recorded was more than 120 percent on most of the days and even crossing 150 per cent once. On the other way round, the 13126 13126 Sairang-Kolkata Express train, the occupancy recorded was also good reaching over 100 per cent once.
13125 Kolkata–Sairang tri-weekly express will start from Kolkata every Saturday, Tuesday and Wednesday at 12.25 p.m. to arrive at Sairang at 7.45 p.m. the next day.
