Railways Unveils Full AC Special Train 05048/05047 Linking Varanasi to Kolkata Via UP

• by Akanksha Mishra
• 2026-09-23 21:24:00

In a welcome transportation breakthrough ahead of the peak festive travel rush for Durga Puja, Diwali, and Chhath Puja, Indian Railways—through a strategic coordination between East Central Railway (ECR) and Northern Railway (NR)—has officially notified a weekly superfast festival special train linking Banaras (Varanasi) directly with Kolkata. Designated as Train Number 05048/05047 Banaras–Kolkata–Banaras Weekly Superfast Special, the service will complete eight scheduled round trips in each direction between early October and late November 2026. Equipped entirely with a modern rake of 20 AC Three-Tier Economy coaches, this premium service directly addresses the surging passenger demand and long waiting lists across the vital eastern transit corridor.

Direct Connectivity Across 4 States: Lifeline for Lakhisarai, Jamui, and Jasidih Passengers

The strategic operational route provides essential inter-state connectivity, bringing immediate relief to thousands of daily commuters, students, and migrant workers traveling between Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal. Key transit districts and commercial hubs along the route—most notably Chhapra, Hajipur, Barauni, Kiul, Lakhisarai, Jamui, Jhajha, and Jasidih Junction—will gain dedicated AC connectivity straight to metropolitan Kolkata and the pilgrim center of Varanasi. By providing a direct transit alternative that bypasses congested regular long-distance mail trains, railway authorities aim to eliminate overcrowding and streamline festive traffic across the northern and eastern plains.

Full Timetable, Stoppages, and Operational Dates

The special service is scheduled to depart from Banaras station every Tuesday at 10:45 AM starting October 6 through November 24, reaching Varanasi Junction at 10:55 AM before halting at Chhapra at 3:00 PM, Hajipur at 4:20 PM, and Barauni Junction at 7:05 PM. Continuing its onward journey through the evening, the train halts at Kiul Junction at 8:40 PM, Jhajha at 10:25 PM, Jasidih Junction at 11:08 PM, and Asansol Junction at 12:50 AM on Wednesday, before pulling into Kolkata terminus at 6:15 AM on Wednesday morning. For the return leg, Train Number 05047 will depart Kolkata every Wednesday at 8:25 AM starting October 7 through November 25, stopping at Asansol at 12:43 PM, Jasidih at 2:16 PM, Jhajha at 3:40 PM, Kiul at 4:20 PM, Barauni at 6:25 PM, Hajipur at 9:00 PM, and Chhapra at 11:10 AM the following day, arriving back at Banaras at 4:45 AM on Thursday.

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