Planning a Puja trip to North Bengal or Assam and worried about getting a confirmed berth? Eastern Railway has added two pairs of special trains for the 2026 festive rush, covering Howrah-Lumding and Kolkata-New Jalpaiguri. The services will run through October and November, covering Durga Puja, Diwali and Chhath travel demand.
For passengers waiting to book, there is one important point. Eastern Railway has announced the trains and schedules, but the ticket-booking opening date has not yet been declared. The zonal railway said the booking date will be notified shortly. Passengers can keep checking official railway channels once reservations are released.
What Has Eastern Railway Announced For The Festive Rush?
The plan adds 42 one-way special-train runs across the two pairs. The Howrah-Lumding pair will make seven trips in each direction, while the Kolkata-New Jalpaiguri pair will make 14 trips each way.
Key Highlights
- Howrah-Lumding special 03005 will run every Friday from October 16 to November 27, 2026.
- Lumding-Howrah special 03006 will run every Saturday from October 17 to November 28.
- Kolkata-New Jalpaiguri special 03129 will operate on Saturdays and Sundays from October 17 to November 29.
- New Jalpaiguri-Kolkata special 03130 will run on Sundays and Mondays from October 18 to November 30.
- General Second Class, Sleeper and AC coaches will be available on both services.
- Ticket booking has not opened yet; Eastern Railway will announce the date separately.
The extra trains come at a busy time for Indian Railways. Diwali ticket booking on several regular trains has already begun under the advance reservation system, while railway zones are also announcing festival specials for high-demand routes. Eastern Railway has also extended the Patna-Howrah special for 11 additional Sundays between October 4 and December 13, adding another option during the festive travel stretch.
Howrah-Lumding Puja Special Will Connect Bengal With Assam
Train 03005 will leave Howrah at 7:15 AM every Friday and reach Lumding at 8:00 AM the following morning. The first run is scheduled for October 16, with the final departure on November 27.
The return train, 03006, will leave Lumding at 11:00 AM every Saturday from October 17 to November 28. It is scheduled to reach Howrah at 12:30 PM the next day. The route includes stops at Bandel, Nabadwip Dham, Katwa, Azimganj, Jangipur Road, New Farakka and Malda Town, besides other stations.
For Assam-bound passengers, the service gives another festive-season option when regular long-distance trains can quickly move to waitlist status. Lumding is also an important rail junction for onward travel within Assam and parts of the Northeast.
Kolkata-New Jalpaiguri Special Adds More North Bengal Seats
Train 03129 will leave Kolkata at 11:10 PM every Saturday and Sunday between October 17 and November 29. It will reach New Jalpaiguri at 10:45 AM the next day, giving the route 14 additional departures from Kolkata.
In the reverse direction, train 03130 will leave New Jalpaiguri at 12:45 PM every Sunday and Monday from October 18 to November 30. Arrival at Kolkata is scheduled for 12:40 AM the following day.
The train will stop at Naihati, Bandel, Nabadwip Dham, Katwa, Azimganj, Jangipur Road, New Farakka and Malda Town in both directions. The timing can suit travellers heading towards Siliguri, Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Dooars and other North Bengal destinations, depending on onward connections.
Passengers should still check the latest train status and station timings through Indian Railways passenger enquiry before travelling because operational changes can occur.
When Will Puja Special Train Bookings Open?
As of September 12, 2026, Eastern Railway has not announced a booking-opening date for trains 03005, 03006, 03129 and 03130. The railway has only said that reservations will open soon and that a separate notification will follow.
Once booking starts, passengers can use the official IRCTC e-ticket portal or authorised railway reservation counters. Searching by train number is likely to be the quickest way to find the service after it appears in the booking system. Travellers should avoid relying on social-media screenshots or unofficial booking claims before the trains are visible through official railway channels.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will booking open for the new Eastern Railway Puja special trains?
Eastern Railway has not announced the booking date yet and says details will follow shortly.
Which train connects Howrah and Lumding during the 2026 festive season?
Train 03005 runs from Howrah to Lumding, while 03006 operates the return service each week.
How many Kolkata-New Jalpaiguri special trips will operate?
Fourteen trips will run in each direction between mid-October and the end of November 2026.
Will the Puja special trains have AC and Sleeper coaches?
Yes, both special services will include General Second Class, Sleeper Class and air-conditioned coaches onboard.
Where should passengers check official booking availability?
Passengers should check IRCTC, Eastern Railway updates and Indian Railways enquiry before finalising travel plans.
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