Responding to the huge demand, the Sealdah Division of the Eastern Railway has decided to introduce two more air-conditioned local trains in its division very soon.
The first additional new AC local is to be operated between Sealdah and Kalyani stations. As Kalyani is a crucial area having significance as an educational and medical hub, the service is aimed at providing connectivity for students and patients, particularly during the crucial late afternoon hours.
The second new service on the cards is between Sealdah and Krishnanagar. The decision, according to the divisional railway manager (DRM) of Sealdah, Rajeev Saxena comes in response to high demands from the commuters of the route. The Sunday services of the AC local train in this route are aimed to facilitate family travel and weekend outings. The Sunday services that are to be run in extension of the existing Monday to Saturday schedule for the Kalyani-Krishnanagar AC locals, are to start at 11.55 a.m. from Sealdah and reach Krishnanagar at 2.20 p.m. From Krishnanagar, the train would leave at 3.57 p.m. and arrive at Sealdah at 6.20 p.m. “The two new AC local services, however, are to be run on an experimental basis for now. Unless observations of the actual patronage of the two trains are received, these are to be run as special trains,” informed the DRM.
Apart from this, the divisional railway authorities are also considering route rationalisation for Bangaon-bound local trains. The divisional railway authorities are considering extending the services of the Ranaghat-Bangaon-Sealdah AC Local till Gopal Nagar and Bamangachhi.
In addition to the commuters of local trains, the authorities are also exploring options to provide ease of travel to Metro travellers. The Sealdah Division has decided to run new train service in the Dum Dum Cantonment-Barasat-Bongaon section. To enable commuters of Bangaon to reach Dum Dum in a more convenient way, the authorities have decided to operate a new Dum Dum Cantonment (DDC) —Bangaon (BNJ) Local, which is to depart Dum Dum Cantonment at 8.05 p.m. daily.
Another new service will run from Bangaon to Barasat, departing Bangaon station at 10 p.m.