The Gangasagar Mela is at the doorstep. Every year, countless devotees from across the country gather at Gangasagar to participate in this event. This creates immense crowd pressure on Eastern Railway's Sealdah Division. This year, the Sealdah Division made a major announcement regarding trains to handle this crowd pressure.
The number of special trains has been increased compared to last year. The railway has announced strict attention to security. Measures like designating specific platforms for trains and enhancing infrastructure to manage crowds have also been announced. On Friday, January 2, Sealdah's DRM Rajiv Saxena announced the train schedule and security arrangements for the Gangasagar Mela days.
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Multiple special trains:
A cluster of special local trains will run from January 10 to 16. The number of special trains was 72 in 2025, which has become 126 in 2026. During those days this year, an average of 18 additional trains will run daily. 56 special trains will run from Namkhana and Kakdwip towards Sealdah and Kolkata stations, and 70 in the opposite direction.
Special trains at which stations and when?
Special trains from Sealdah towards Namkhana
Night 12:01, 01:23, 02:55
Dawn 06:15
Afternoon 02:40
Special trains from Kolkata Station towards Namkhana
Morning 07:35, 08:24 and night 09:30
Special trains from Namkhana towards Sealdah
Night 12:07, 01:06, 01:25, 02:52
Morning 09:10, 11:18 and evening 06:35
Train will depart from Namkhana at 10:10 PM
Special train from Kakdwip to Sealdah: Afternoon 2:16
Besides this, several more trains will run on this route throughout the day
Additional trains on other sections too:
The railway has also given good news for passengers of the Ranaghat-Gede section. A proposal has been made to run an additional 3 pairs (6) new trains on this route
Special Train Stoppages and Routes:
To manage crowds, special trains will be run in galloping mode. That means they will not stop at all stations.
Special trains will mainly stop at Ballygunge, Sonarpur, Baruipur, Lakshmikantapur, Nischindapur, Kakdwip and Namkhana stations.
Special trains departing from Kolkata Station will stop at all stations between Kolkata and Majerhat stations.
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What other measures?
Special emphasis has been placed on holding areas or waiting halls by the railway to manage crowds and avoid accidents.
Multiple passenger waiting halls have been created at Sealdah and Kakdwip stations. There will be arrangements for drinking water, toilets, seating areas and first aid.
Platforms 15 and 16 of Sealdah Station are allocated exclusively for Kakdwip and Namkhana trains
Compared to last year, there will be double the number of railway staff and security forces at important stations.
