In an effort to facilitate smoother journeys for passengers heading home during the festive period, railway authorities have rolled out dedicated measures across key transit corridors. Addressing the surge in travel demand and lengthy waiting lists between Durga Puja and Chhath, a special train service has been pressed into operation alongside capacity augmentations on regular services.
Weekly Special Connects Kolkata with Alamnagar via Dhanbad
A weekly special train linking Kolkata to Alamnagar in Lucknow has commenced operations to clear passenger rush. Transiting through Dhanbad in Jharkhand, this dedicated service offers direct connectivity and relief to travelers across eastern and northern railway networks. Officials noted that the initiative directly addresses high ticket demand during the ongoing holiday season.
Timetable and Operational Days for Train 03107 and 03108
Operating under train number 03107, the Kolkata to Alamnagar special runs on Thursdays, spanning from October 15 to November 26. The train departs Kolkata at 11:50 PM, reaches Dhanbad at 5:50 AM the following morning, and completes its journey at Alamnagar at 7:45 PM the same night.
The return service, designated as train number 03108 from Alamnagar to Kolkata, operates on Saturdays between October 17 and November 28. It departs Alamnagar at 1:45 AM, halts at Dhanbad at 4:00 PM the next afternoon, and arrives at its Kolkata terminus at 10:30 PM the same night.
Key En Route Halts Across Eastern and Northern Corridors
To cater to passengers boarding from multiple industrial hubs and district headquarters, the special train has been scheduled to stop at several major stations. The service halts at Naihati, Bandel, Barddhaman, Durgapur, and Asansol before entering Jharkhand. Across Jharkhand, stops include Dhanbad, Gomoh, Parasnath, Hazaribagh Road, and Koderma.
Continuing westward, the train serves Gaya, Dehri On Sone, Sasaram, and Bhabua Road in Bihar, proceeding to Pt Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction (DDU), Varanasi, and Sultanpur on its approach toward Utretia. Boarding and deboarding facilities are available to passengers across all designated stops along the corridor.
Extra Sleeper Coach Bolsters Capacity on Doon Express
In addition to launching standalone holiday specials, railway authorities have augmented capacity on heavily booked regular long-distance trains. An additional sleeper coach is being attached to the popular Doon Express operating between Howrah and Yog Nagari Rishikesh, expanding berth availability and softening waitlist numbers.
For outbound departures from Howrah, train number 13009 (Howrah to Yog Nagari Rishikesh Doon Express) will feature the extra sleeper carriage from October 15 through November 20. On the return run, train number 13010 (Yog Nagari Rishikesh to Howrah Doon Express) carries the additional coach between October 17 and November 22.
Railway management stated that these targeted capacity additions will offer significant convenience to passengers traveling across West Bengal, Jharkhand, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh throughout the festival period. Detailed booking information, schedules, and coach positions can be accessed at computerized reservation counters or via authorized mobile applications.
