*Restructuring of Circular Line Suburban Services to handle more mail/ express trains- A plan towards developing as Major Coaching Terminal.*
• *Morning and evening peak suburban trains unaffected.*
• *Creating corridor of 6 hours from 11:15 and 17:15 hours to make Platform 1 available for long distance trains by originating trains from TALA station during off-peak period.*

Kolkata, 01 June 2026:

— In a significant step to improve train punctuality and reduce terminal congestion, Eastern Railway’s Sealdah Division has planned a strategic restructuring of its suburban services on the Circular Railway line.

The primary objective of this restructuring of Circular Line is to address acute platform scarcity at Kolkata Station (KOAA) triggered by a steady rise in long-distance Mail, Express, and Train on demand (TOD) services. Currently, Platform No. 1—the station’s only platform with direct concourse access—is exclusively tied up for suburban operations daily between 07:30 and 21:00 hours. With other platforms already operating at near saturation levels, long-distance passengers have faced delays and congestion due to non-availability of platforms.

Furthermore, the 18.40 km single-line stretch between Dum Dum Jn. to Majerhat—running along the banks of the River Ganges—faces severe local sectional constraints. These include 17 level crossings, strict speed restrictions of 40 Kmph due to sharp geographic curves, dense civil populations, and frequent service suspensions during festivals like idol immersions.

*Major Changes in Suburban Train Services of Circular Line*

Presently services during off-peak hours have very low patronage, accordingly it is being envisaged that all high-patronage morning and evening peak-hour services remain entirely unaffected, ensuring daily commuters face no disruptions during rush hours but services between 11:15 and 17:15 hours will be restructured so that no suburban train passes through KOAA in this period giving a block of 6 hours to handle long distance Mail/ express trains at platform 1. The trains in this period will originate and terminate at TALA station, only 300 m from KOAA and more convenient to daily commuters being in proximity to R.G. Kar Medical College and market area.

*The targeted off-peak adjustments include:*

• New Service: A new suburban train is being planned between Majherhat (MJT) and Tala.
• Extensions & Rescheduling: 30411 will operate as Tala–Sealdah via Majherhat (previously originate from B.B.D. Bag to Sealdah).
• Another service 30333 will now originate from B.B.D. Bag, running via Ballygunge–Kankurgachhi to an extended destination at Bangaon (BNJ) instead Habra.
• Route Diversions: 30121 (Majherhat–Naihati) and 30312 (Barasat–Majherhat), which previously ran via the Circular Line, will now bypass it and run via Kankurgachhi–Ballygunge.
• Short Terminations: Certain off-peak services will terminate early to avoid chokepoints. For instance, 30346(Bangaon-Majherhat) will terminate at Barasat (BT) instead of Majherhat and 30122(Naihati-Ballygunge) will short-terminate at B.B.D. Bag instead of Ballygunge.
• 30111 Short originate from B.B.D. Bag instead of Ballygunge to ease of office goars.
• May affect off-peak trains its continuity of service includes 30311 (Majherhat – Barasat), 30332 (Habra-Majherhat), 30353 Majherhat – Duttapukur local.

The date from which these changes to be affected, will be announced subsequently with detailed timings. Thus, by freeing up Kolkata terminal Platform No. 1 during off-peak hours, division aims to deliver a smoother, more efficient travel experience for everyone without affecting peak hour trains. Major benefits include:
• Optimized Station Capacity: All 5 platforms at Kolkata Station will be utilized efficiently and at a balanced capacity.
• Improved Punctuality: The on-time performance of long-distance Mail/Express trains and Train on demand (TODs) will be significantly enhanced.
• Smoother Operations: Minimize locomotive crossing and shunting movements will reduce operational conflicts and delays.
• Decongestion: Easing out chokepoints at Dum Dum Jn. and Sealdah (South) will ensure safer, more punctual rail operations across the network

Sealdah division urges its passengers to co-operate as we work toward creating a more reliable and comfortable transit network.