Malda Town to Haridwar Puja Special: New Train Starts Oct 17
Eastern Railway has announced a major relief for commuters planning to travel during the upcoming festive season. To manage the heavy surge in passenger traffic, a new weekly Puja Special train will connect Malda Town in West Bengal directly to Haridwar.
The service, operating under train numbers 03437 and 03438, is set to begin its journey on October 17, 2026. This special initiative aims to provide smoother connectivity for pilgrims and travelers heading towards the holy city of Haridwar during the 2026 Puja festivities.
Detailed Weekly Schedule for 2026
The train will operate for a total of seven trips in each direction throughout October and November. Passengers can plan their journeys based on the following departure dates:
- Train 03437 (Malda Town to Haridwar): This service will depart from Malda Town on October 17, 24, and 31, followed by November 7, 14, 21, and 28, 2026.
- Train 03438 (Haridwar to Malda Town): The return service will depart from Haridwar on October 18, 25, and November 1, 8, 15, 22, and 29, 2026.
Route, Major Stops, and Travel Duration
The Puja Special will traverse a significant distance, passing through several key junctions and cities. The journey offers connectivity across West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand.
Key stations on the route include:
- New Farakka
- Sahibganj
- Kiul
- Patna
- Bhagalpur
- Buxar
- Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyay Junction
- Varanasi
- Sultanpur
- Moradabad
- Bareilly
The estimated travel time from Malda Town to Haridwar is approximately 31 hours. For the return leg, the Haridwar to Malda Town journey is scheduled to take roughly 29 hours and 10 minutes.
Coach Composition and Fare Details
To ensure comfort for a large number of passengers, Eastern Railway has prepared a new scratch rake at Malda Town. The train will consist of 22 coaches in total, providing various accommodation options:
- 4 AC Coaches for premium comfort.
- 16 Non-AC Coaches (including Sleeper and General classes).
- 2 SLRD Coaches for accommodating passengers with special requirements.
Current fare estimates for the journey are as follows:
- Third AC (3AC): Approximately ₹2,030.
- Sleeper Class: Approximately ₹815.
Note: General class coaches are also available for budget-conscious travelers.
Important Update Regarding Timings
Passengers are advised to stay updated with official notifications. Northern Railway has reportedly requested a rescheduling of the return time for train 03438 from Haridwar. This may lead to adjustments in the arrival and departure timings, which will be communicated through a new official notification soon.