The railway administration has decided to operate four special trains from April 6 to June 29, 2026, to accommodate the increasing passenger demand. These services include the Kanpur Central to Kolkata and Veerangana Lakshmibai to Asansol routes. While these new services provide relief, a scheduled mega block for track strengthening on the Ganga river bridge will lead to several cancellations and route diversions for 43 days starting April 1.
Schedule for Kanpur Central-Kolkata Special Trains
The North Central Railway will operate the Kanpur to Kolkata special train via Prayagraj, Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay, and Dhanbad. This train covers a distance of 1026 kilometers and includes general, sleeper, and air-conditioned coaches for the convenience of passengers from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and West Bengal.
| Train Number | Route | Day of Operation | Departure Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 04153 | Kanpur to Kolkata | Every Thursday (April 2 – June 25) | 1:00 PM |
| 04154 | Kolkata to Kanpur | Every Friday (April 3 – June 26) | 10:45 AM |
Cancellations and Diversions due to Ganga Bridge Mega Block
A 43-day mega block is scheduled between Kanpur and Unnao from April 1 to May 14, 2026. This maintenance work on the Ganga river bridge will significantly impact daily commuters and long-distance travelers. Passengers are advised to verify their train status via the Rail Madad app or 139 helpline before starting their journey.
- Rae Bareli Passenger (54154/54153): These trains remain completely cancelled during the block period.
- Balamau Passenger (54335/54336): This train will be short-terminated at Unnao Junction instead of Kanpur Central.
- Route Changes: Around 31 trains, including high-profile services like Vande Bharat and Shatabdi, will follow diverted routes and some might skip Kanpur Central.
- MEMU Services: Nearly 17-18 MEMU and local passenger trains are expected to stay suspended during this track work.