Passengers travelling through the New Jalpaiguri (NJP) station should prepare for significant changes to their travel plans between July 26 and July 28, 2026. The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) is undertaking a major infrastructure upgrade at the NJP yard involving the commissioning of a Multi-Section Digital Axle Counter (MSDAC) modern signalling system. This project, managed by the Katihar division, is designed to boost train detection accuracy, enhance operational safety, and ensure smoother traffic flow in one of the busiest railway hubs in the Northeast.
- Full Cancellation: The 55749/55750 New Jalpaiguri-Haldibari-New Jalpaiguri Passenger is cancelled on July 28.
- Vande Bharat Adjustments: The 22301/22302 Howrah-New Jalpaiguri Vande Bharat Express will be short-terminated and short-originated at Kishanganj on July 28.
- Route Diversions: Several Rajdhani and Tejas Rajdhani services will bypass NJP via an alternate route on July 27.
- Rescheduling: Multiple express trains have been rescheduled for July 27 and 28.
Impact on Major Services
The upgrade work will lead to notable changes in the operation of premium services. On July 28, the 22301 Howrah-New Jalpaiguri Vande Bharat Express will terminate its journey at Kishanganj, cancelling the segment between Kishanganj and NJP. Similarly, the 22302 New Jalpaiguri-Howrah Vande Bharat Express will commence its journey from Kishanganj on the same day, skipping the NJP-Kishanganj stretch.
Several key long-distance trains will be diverted via the Aluabari Road-Thakurganj-Siliguri-Gulma route on July 27. Affected trains include the 20504/12424 and 20505/12423 New Delhi-Dibrugarh Rajdhani Express, as well as the 20501 Agartala-Anand Vihar Terminal Tejas Rajdhani Express. These trains will make a temporary halt at Siliguri Junction instead of New Jalpaiguri.
Rescheduling and Delays
Passengers should also be aware of rescheduling for several trains. The 14037 Silchar-New Delhi Express (July 27), 12510 Guwahati-SMVT Bengaluru Express (July 28), and 13142 New Alipurduar-Sealdah Express (July 28) will depart later than their original scheduled times. Additionally, the 15631 Barmer-Guwahati Express on July 26 may face a delay of approximately 60 minutes. Indian Railways advises all travellers to check the latest train status via the NTES app or the official IRCTC website before heading to the station to avoid any inconvenience.