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Eastern Railway Announces Night Traffic Block Ahead of Durga Puja; Several Local Trains Cancelled
KOLKATA | AUGUST 28, 2026
NEWS DESK: Ahead of Durga Puja, Eastern Railway is undertaking major maintenance work to strengthen rail infrastructure in the Sealdah Division. Repairs and replacement work will be carried out on crucial railway points, tracks and related components used for changing a train’s route.
To facilitate the work, train movement on several Sealdah Division routes is expected to be affected for several hours. Eastern Railway has announced a traffic block, resulting in the cancellation of several local trains on Sunday. One train will also have its service temporarily restricted to Dum Dum Junction instead of Sealdah.
According to the notification issued by Eastern Railway on Friday, the maintenance work will be carried out from 12 midnight on Sunday, August 30, to 7 a.m. on Monday, August 31. During the approximately seven-hour block, temporary restrictions may affect the entry and departure of trains on some lines at Sealdah station.
Why Is the Traffic Block Necessary?
In railway terminology, a point is a mechanism that allows a train to move from one track to another. It is a critical component of safe train operations. With prolonged use, points and other track components can develop wear or defects, making periodic repairs and replacement necessary.
Eastern Railway will undertake repairs at several important locations in the Sealdah Division. In some areas, new components will be installed, while selected sections of older tracks will also be replaced. Old equipment at certain track junctions will also be changed.
Since trains cannot operate on the affected lines while this work is underway, the railway has opted for an overnight traffic block to minimise disruption to passengers.
Routes Likely to Be Affected
The maintenance work may affect services on routes connecting Sealdah with Habra, Kalyani Simanta, Dankuni and Ranaghat.
The following local trains will remain cancelled on Sunday:
- Sealdah–Habra: 33651 UP / 33652 DN and 33653 UP / 33654 DN
- Sealdah–Kalyani Simanta: 31313 UP / 31316 DN
- Sealdah–Dankuni: 32217 UP / 32218 DN
- Sealdah–Ranaghat: 31615 UP / 31620 DN
Passengers travelling on these routes have been advised to check the latest service information and train schedules before starting their journey.
Lalgola–Sealdah Local to Terminate at Dum Dum
The Lalgola–Sealdah 53172 DN local will also be affected. According to the railway notification, the train will not travel up to Sealdah on Sunday and will instead terminate at Dum Dum Junction.
The empty rake will subsequently be taken to Sealdah through railway operational arrangements. Passengers travelling towards Sealdah may therefore have to get down at Dum Dum Junction and make alternative arrangements.
Why Is the Work Being Done at Night?
Traffic blocks for railway infrastructure work are routine, but carrying out prolonged maintenance during daytime hours on busy routes can affect thousands of commuters. Eastern Railway has therefore selected the relatively less busy period between midnight and early morning.
Special teams comprising engineering, signalling and other railway personnel will coordinate the work, with the aim of completing the maintenance within the scheduled window.
The work is not only intended to improve operational reliability but is also directly connected with passenger safety. Proper maintenance of points, track junctions and associated equipment is essential for safe and dependable train operations.
Message for Passengers
Eastern Railway has advised passengers, particularly those travelling on the Habra, Kalyani Simanta, Dankuni and Ranaghat routes, to plan their journeys accordingly on Sunday.
Announcements regarding service changes are expected to be made at Sealdah station. Checking the latest information before leaving for the station could help passengers avoid last-minute inconvenience.
Eastern Railway expects the maintenance work to strengthen the safety and reliability of the affected railway infrastructure. The temporary disruption during the overnight block is aimed at ensuring smoother and safer train operations in the long term.
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