In a move to facilitate critical infrastructure upgrades, the Eastern Railway has announced the cancellation of 30 pairs of local trains on the Howrah-Burdwan main branch starting today, January 23. This significant disruption comes as part of a series of renovation projects, including the maintenance of the CCR Bridge between Balighat and Bali Halt stations on the Sealdah-Dankuni branch, as well as the demolition and rebuilding of the Banaras Road Bridge near Howrah.
Traffic Restrictions and Detours
To accommodate the ongoing renovation of the CCR Bridge, traffic on the Bali Bridge is being rerouted. Vehicles traveling from Dakshineswar to Bali are being diverted via the Nivedita Bridge. Kolkata-bound vehicles will be allowed partial access to the Bali Bridge; however, outbound traffic toward Bombay Road or Delhi Road will be redirected through the Nivedita Bridge. Notably, toll taxes for buses using the Nivedita Bridge have been waived.
While the Kolkata-bound lane on the Bali Bridge remains operational, the exit lane is closed due to ongoing maintenance. Additionally, goods vehicles are prohibited from crossing the bridge until the work is completed.
Train Services Disrupted
Train movement on the Howrah-Burdwan main branch is suspended for approximately 100 hours across four days, from January 23 to January 26. This includes the cancellation of long-distance trains and 30 pairs of local trains, disrupting daily commutes.
The affected local train services include:
- 15 Howrah-bound Bandel locals
- 11 Howrah-bound Sheoraphuli locals
- 2 Howrah-bound Belur Math locals
- 2 Howrah-bound Serampore locals
- 15 Bandel-bound Howrah locals
- 11 Sheoraphuli-bound Howrah locals
- 2 Belur Math-bound Howrah locals
- 2 Serampore-bound Howrah locals
Additionally, the Bandel-Howrah Matribhumi Ladies Special service is also suspended.
Special Train Services in Place
To mitigate the impact, Eastern Railway has introduced four pairs of special trains operating between Howrah and Bandel stations during the renovation period. These measures aim to provide some relief to commuters amidst the extensive disruptions.
Major Infrastructure Upgrades Underway
Sanjeev Kumar, Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) of the Howrah Division, emphasized the importance of the ongoing projects. The upgrades include increasing the number of entry and exit lines and installing advanced signaling systems at Howrah station. Key bridges, such as the 120-year-old Banaras Road Bridge at Salkia and the 91-year-old Chandmari Bridge near Howrah Maidan, are being demolished to make way for modern structures.
Kumar added that the train cancellations are necessary to ensure the timely completion of these projects, which aim to enhance the efficiency and safety of the railway network.
What’s Next?
The renovation work is expected to continue through January 26, with normal train operations resuming thereafter. Passengers are advised to plan their journeys accordingly and stay updated on service changes through official railway channels.
Impact on Commuters
The cancellation of local and long-distance train services, along with traffic diversions, is expected to cause inconvenience for thousands of daily commuters. However, the Eastern Railway assures that these short-term disruptions will result in long-term improvements, benefiting passengers with faster, safer, and more efficient train services.
Stay tuned for updates as the Eastern Railway progresses with these transformative infrastructure upgrades.
