Patna: Indian Railways has announced a summer special service between Banaras and Kolkata, passing through Chhapra, in a move aimed at reducing overcrowding during the peak holiday season.
The train will operate three trips in April, with services scheduled to depart Banaras on April 14, 21 and 28. Train number 05048 will leave at 10.45am and is expected to reach Chhapra Junction at 3.10pm the same day, before arriving in Kolkata at 6.15am the following morning.
On the return leg, train number 05047 will depart Kolkata on April 15, 22 and 29 at 8.25am, reaching Chhapra at 11.20pm and arriving back in Banaras at 4.15am the next day.
According to railway officials, the service will halt at several key stations along the route, including Varanasi Junction, Aunrihar, Ghazipur City, Ballia, Reoti and Suraimanpur before Chhapra. It will then continue through Dighwara, Sonepur, Hajipur, Shahpur Patoree, Barauni, Kiul, Jhajha, Jasidih, Madhupur, Chittaranjan, Asansol, Durgapur, Barddhaman, Bandel and Naihati en route to Kolkata.
The train will consist of 20 AC three-tier economy coaches, along with two generator-cum-luggage vans. Officials said the additional service has been introduced in anticipation of a surge in passenger numbers during the summer months, when travel demand typically rises across Bihar and neighbouring regions.
