Bengal: 10 special trains for festival rush, EMU changes for idol immersion

The Eastern Railway zone of Indian Railways issued a notice that ten special trains will operate during the upcoming Durga Puja festivities in West Bengal, aiming to accommodate the expected surge in passenger traffic. The announcement was made by senior railway officials in coordination with the state transport authorities.

The special services will run on routes linking Kolkata with major suburban and district centres throughout the festival period, providing additional capacity on peak travel days. Concurrently, the regular EMU (Electric Multiple Unit) schedule will be modified, with extra coaches and adjusted timings to enable devotees to transport pandal idols to immersion sites along the riverbanks.

Durga Puja attracts millions of worshippers and tourists, often leading to overcrowded trains and roadways. By augmenting rail capacity and tweaking EMU operations, authorities hope to reduce congestion, ensure timely travel for worshippers, and support orderly idol immersion, thereby minimizing disruptions for daily commuters and local residents.