The Darjeeling Mail is one of the most popular trains among tourists. For the second time in its history, the train is poised to change routes. As of now, the train plies between Sealdah and Haldibari. The proposed route, which is said to come into effect in March of next year, will shorten the distance between the two stations by 80 kilometres and cut 90 minutes of travel. Here are all the important details that you would need to know about this change in route.
Darjeeling Mail To Change Route And Cut Travel Time
According to an article which was recently published in The Times Of India or TOI, the route will now travel through Ranaghat Junction to Malda through Azimganj Junction as well as Behrampur Court. As of now, it takes the Bolpur-Burdwan route which will change come March 2024. This will be the second time that the train is getting its route changed.
As per the sources cited in the TOI article, after the train reaches New Jalpaiguri, it will then head to Haldibari through Jalpaiguri. This new route will save around one and a half hours of travel time as it will bring the starting point and the ending point of the train 80 kilometres closer. This means that instead of reaching New Jalpaiguri at 8:30 AM, it will now reach at 7:00 AM.
According to the TOI article, the route was proposed 12 years ago. At the time, though, there were many challenges owing to which the route could not be implemented. The land on which the construction was to be done proved difficult to acquire. This also caused the Azimganj -Nashipur rail bridge to be delayed. However, now the challenges have been resolved and the bridge is ready for use.
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Older Route Of This Popular Tourist Train
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In- Frame :- 12343 Darjeeling Mail Curving in foggy morning towards its destination
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— Rail Fanatics of India (@RailFanatic) December 7, 2023
The railway line first commenced in 1872 which makes around 145 years old. At the time, it used to travel through areas that are now a part of Bangladesh. In 1965, the route was changed to the one it currently plies on. And now, it is being changed once again for convenience and faster travel. The trial run for the train will be conducted in February of next year.
The Azimganj-Nashipur bridge existed before as well. However, it was dismantled by the British Raj during World War II. The train is quite popular among many tourists who travel on the route owing to its convenience and scenic route. Once the new shorter route comes into effect, it’ll make travelling faster and more convenient.
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Have you ever travelled by this train? What do you think of the new proposed route? Let us know in the comments section below!
Cover Image Credits: Wikimedia Commons
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