SEALDAH RAILWAY UNLEASHES 51 PUJA SPECIALS TO TACKLE MASSIVE FESTIVE RUSH

October 8, 2026

The Sealdah division of Eastern Railway has announced a major expansion of train services during Durga Puja to manage the enormous surge in passenger traffic expected across Kolkata and its surrounding areas.

A total of 51 special EMU services will operate daily from October 16 to 21, compared with 31 during the corresponding period last year. Of these, 38 will be overnight local trains, connecting Sealdah with destinations including Barasat, Dum Dum, Kalyani, Majerhat and Ballygunge, providing late-night transport for pandal-hoppers.

The division will also operate 80 special long-distance train services between October 10 and 25, up from 50 during the same period in 2025. Thirteen additional trains will operate during evening peak hours across the main, north and south sections.

To improve passenger movement, galloping trains will stop at every station after 2pm from October 15 to 21. Ticket counters at Sealdah and Kolkata Chitpur stations will remain open around the clock, with additional booking staff and automatic ticket-vending machines deployed during the festive period.

Sealdah station's car park will be converted into a crowd-holding area from October 15 to 21 in case of emergencies, while infrastructure improvements are also planned around Dum Dum station and nearby level crossings. A 24-hour control room will monitor crowds through CCTV networks and coordinate railway departments throughout the Puja period.

The scale of the preparations reflects the extraordinary pressure expected on the Sealdah network. Railway officials said at least 50 lakh passengers travelled through Sealdah during Durga Puja last year, with daily footfall reaching approximately 21 lakh on Saptami