kolkata

IIE DIGITAL DESK ; Kolkata: Local train services through Ballygunge station will remain disrupted for six hours and thirty minutes as the Sealdah Division of Indian Railways undertakes a major maintenance and infrastructure upgrade in the area. Owing to the scheduled traffic and power block, several suburban EMU services on the Sealdah South Section will either remain cancelled, operate on truncated routes, or originate and terminate at intermediate stations on June 27 (Saturday) and June 28 (Sunday), 2026.

The maintenance work forms part of an essential infrastructure modernization programme aimed at enhancing operational safety and improving the reliability of train services. The project involves the complete conversion of Down Passenger Line Points No. 103B/104A and 101A/110B from the existing 52 kg rail section to the heavier and more durable 60 kg rail section. To facilitate the engineering work, a 390-minute (6 hours and 30 minutes) traffic block will be imposed from 10:15 p.m. on Saturday, June 27, until 4:45 a.m. on Sunday, June 28 in the Ballygunge station area.

Railway authorities stated that the maintenance has deliberately been scheduled over the weekend to minimize inconvenience to commuters. Since the work will take place on Saturday night and continue into Sunday morning, and Sunday is a public holiday for many offices and institutions, the overall impact on daily passengers and working professionals is expected to remain comparatively limited.

The block will significantly affect suburban train operations on the Sealdah South Section. Several EMU local trains will remain completely cancelled during the maintenance period, while a number of services will either be short-terminated or will commence their journeys from intermediate stations instead of their scheduled originating stations.

June 27 (Saturday), the cancelled services include Sealdah–Lakshmikantapur locals 34752, 34754, 34755 and 34757, Sealdah–Canning locals 34554 and 34555, Sealdah–Diamond Harbour locals 34858, 34860, 34857 and 34859, Sealdah–Budge Budge locals 34162 and 34161, and Sealdah–Sonarpur local 34436.

On June 28 (Sunday), the Sealdah–Sonarpur local trains 34412 and 34411 will also remain cancelled.

In addition to the cancellations, several suburban trains will either terminate at Sonarpur or New Alipore stations or originate from these stations instead of completing their full scheduled routes. Passengers travelling during the block period have been advised to verify the revised train schedules before commencing their journey.

Railway officials further informed that Train No. 34750 Down and Train No. 34553 Up will be the final services to operate through all scheduled stoppages before the commencement of the traffic block. Following the completion of the maintenance work, Train No. 34511 Up and Train No. 34814 Down will be the first services to resume normal operations.

Commenting on the maintenance programme, Sealdah Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) Rajiv Saxena said, “The point conversion work is extremely important for maintaining the highest standards of railway infrastructure. The traffic block has been planned over the weekend to minimize inconvenience to passengers. We request the cooperation of all commuters as these upgrades are essential for ensuring safer, smoother and faster rail travel in the future.”

Indian Railways has appealed to passengers travelling on the Sealdah South suburban network during the affected period to make alternative travel arrangements wherever necessary and to stay updated through official railway announcements regarding train movements and schedule changes.