If all goes as anticipated, Sealdah Division could roll out air-conditioned local EMU trains in two more lines soon.
The division launched the commercial services of the AC locals earlier this week. The train runs between Sealdah and Ranaghat stations making a round trip every day. From Ranaghat junction station, the train starts at 8.29 a.m. and reaches Sealdah at 10.10 a.m. On the return journey, from Sealdah station, it departs at 6.50 p.m. and reaches Ranaghat at around 8.32 p.m. The much patronised AC local on the lines of the local EMUs being operated in various routes of Mumbai, runs as galloping train and has stoppages at Chakdaha, Kalyani, Kanchrapara, Barrackpore, Naihati, Khardaha, Sodpur, Dum Dum Junction and Bidhannagar Road stations en route.
According to official sources in the division, the timing of the train has been decided, particularly keeping the working people in mind. “People heading towards Kolkata are able to reach here in the morning hours. After their work is done or office hours are over they can board the train in the evening and return home in around one-and-a-half hours,” said an official.
Since the commencement of the commercial services last Monday, the train with over 1,100 seats is said to be popular with commuters. With the pre-Puja shopping crowd likely to swell in the next few weeks, the train is anticipated to have higher commuter count. Even during Durga Puja, the new train service is expected to be a crowd puller.
Considering the fact, the Sealdah Division has made elaborate plans for expanding the services of the premium local train to other routes. As learnt from official sources, the divisional authorities are considering extending the AC local train services to Krishnanagar and Bongaon Lines. However, as the authorities are closely studying the patronage of the train for some time now, a deadline for the commencement of the services to the two additional routes is yet to be decided.