Kolkata-Banaras Special: New Festive Train via Jhajha to Ease Puja Rush!
In a major move to manage the massive influx of passengers during the upcoming festive season, Indian Railways has announced a new weekly special train service connecting Kolkata and Banaras. This special service, which will travel via the Jhajha route, is specifically designed to accommodate travelers during the high-demand periods of Durga Puja, Diwali, and Chhath.
Detailed Schedule of the Special Trains
The new service consists of two distinct train numbers to facilitate travel in both directions, with each performing eight trips:
- Train No. 05048 (Banaras to Kolkata): Operating every Tuesday from October 6 to November 24, 2026. It is scheduled to depart from Banaras at 10:45 a.m. and arrive in Kolkata at 6:15 a.m. the following day.
- Train No. 05047 (Kolkata to Banaras): Operating every Wednesday from October 7 to November 25, 2026. It will depart from Kolkata at 8:25 a.m. and arrive in Banaras at 4:15 a.m. the next morning.
Route and Key Stops
The routing via Jhajha is expected to be highly beneficial for passengers traveling from the Lakhisarai, Jamui-Jhajha, and Jasidih regions. The train will make scheduled stops at the following locations:
- Naihati, Bandel, Barddhaman, Durgapur, Asansol, Chittaranjan, Madhupur, Jasidih, Jhajha, Kiul, Barauni, Shahpur Patori, Hajipur, Sonpur, Dighwara, Chhapra, Suremanpur, Revati, Ballia, Ghazipur City, Aunrihar, and Varanasi Junction.
Train Composition and Official Information
To ensure a comfortable journey for the festive crowds, the train will feature a specific coach composition:
- 20 AC 3-tier economy coaches
- Two generator-cum-luggage vans
The operational schedule was officially released by Ashish Kumar Singh, Information Officer for the Asansol Division of Eastern Railway, and the service details were confirmed by Sumit Kumar, Chief Public Relations Officer of North Eastern Railway. This strategic deployment follows a decision to manage the increased volume of travelers during the peak festival period.