Indian Railways has officially announced the extension of the Lalkuan-Sabarmati Weekly Special Train (05344/05343) to accommodate rising passenger demand. This move is set to bring relief to travelers heading towards Rajasthan and Gujarat, with the North Eastern Railway confirming the extension for 13 additional trips following announcements made on August 10 and 11, 2026.
- Train 05344 (Lalkuan-Sabarmati) will run every Wednesday from September 2 to November 25, 2026.
- Train 05343 (Sabarmati-Lalkuan) will run every Thursday from September 3 to November 26, 2026.
- The train composition includes 20 coaches: 4 General, 11 Sleeper, 2 AC Three-tier, and 1 AC Two-tier.
- The route covers major cities including Bareilly, Jaipur, Ajmer, and Mathura.
Schedule and Route Details
For passengers planning their travel, the Lalkuan-Sabarmati Special (05344) is scheduled to depart from Lalkuan at 13:35, arriving at the Sabarmati station at 11:05 the following day. For the return journey, the Sabarmati-Lalkuan Special (05343) will depart Sabarmati at 16:00 and reach Lalkuan at 14:20 the next day. The train service traverses several key stations, including Izzatnagar, Kasganj, and Abu Road, providing essential connectivity across the northern and western regions of India.
Sumit Kumar, the Chief Public Relations Officer for the North Eastern Railway’s Izzatnagar Division, confirmed these operational updates. The decision to extend the service underscores the railway’s commitment to managing seasonal demand and improving passenger convenience on this popular corridor.
Local Demands for Stoppage
While the extension has been welcomed by many, it has also sparked local discussions. Residents of Ujhani have expressed dissatisfaction regarding the train’s current route, noting the omission of a scheduled stop in their city. In response, local representatives have formally requested Union Minister of State B.L. Verma to consider adding a halt at Ujhani to better serve the local population. As of now, the current schedule remains unchanged as per the official announcement from the North Eastern Railway.