🚆 1. What the Sealdah‑Banaras Amrit Bharat Express Is
The Sealdah‑Banaras Amrit Bharat Express is a new long‑distance rail service launched by indian Railways to connect Sealdah (Kolkata, West Bengal) with Banaras (Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh). It is part of the Amrit Bharat Express series — trains designed to offer affordable, comfortable, and modern travel with better onboard amenities and faster connectivity for long‑distance passengers.
- Train numbers: 22587 (Sealdah → Banaras) and 22588 (Banaras → Sealdah)
- Operator: Eastern Railway (ER) zone
- Frequency: Tri‑weekly service (runs three days a week from each end).
🗺️ 2. Route Overview
The train covers a distance of about 770 – 772 km between Sealdah and Banaras, connecting West Bengal, Jharkhand, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.
It travels via the Dankuni–Asansol–Jasidih corridor and connects several important cities and junctions across the region.
📅 3. Timetable & Travel Duration
🕖 Sealdah → Banaras (Train 22587)
- Departure: ~19:30 hrs from Sealdah
- Arrival: ~07:20 hrs next day at Banaras
- Total journey time: Approx 11 hours 50 minutes
🕙 Banaras → Sealdah (Train 22588)
- Departure: ~22:10 hrs from Banaras
- Arrival: ~09:55 hrs next day at Sealdah
- Total journey time: Approx 11 hours 45 minutes
This overnight schedule means travellers can board in the evening and reach their destination by morning, making it practical for both business and leisure travellers.
🚏 4. Key Stops Along the Way
Despite the long route, the Sealdah‑Banaras Amrit Bharat Express makes 6 major commercial stops — keeping the service relatively fast while still serving key urban and regional hubs.
Here are the 6 key stations where the train halts:
Durgapur – Major industrial and educational hub in West Bengal.
Asansol Junction – One of the busiest junctions in Eastern India.
Madhupur Junction – Important junction connecting the region to major north indian routes.
Jasidih Junction – Key feeder station for jharkhand and eastern UP travellers.
Patna Junction – capital city of bihar and a major passenger interchange.
Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction (formerly Mughalsarai) – Major junction near varanasi serving onward connections.
These halts strategically connect passengers from mid‑route cities and state capitals to both Sealdah and Banaras.
📊 5. service Frequency & Composition
- The train runs three times a week from both ends:
- It runs with a standard Amrit Bharat rake of 16 coaches, offering a mix of seating and sleeping arrangements for overnight travel.
💺 6. What to Expect on Board
The Amrit Bharat Express series aims to provide value travel for long distances with:
- Comfortable seating/sleeping coaches
- Clean and standard facilities suitable for overnight journeys
- Modernised rakes and services compared to older express trains
While this service falls short of premium services like Vande Bharat in speed, its focus is on affordability and accessibility for a broader passenger base.
📌 In Summary
The Sealdah‑Banaras Amrit Bharat Express is a tri‑weekly overnight train connecting eastern and northern india via a 775 km corridor. It offers:
- Convenient timetable (evening departure, morning arrival)
- 6 major stops across key junctions
- Affordable travel between kolkata and varanasi regions
- Practical connectivity for both business and leisure travellers
Disclaimer:
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any agency, organization, employer, or company. All information provided is for general informational purposes only. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, reliability, or suitability of the information contained herein. Readers are advised to verify facts and seek professional advice where necessary. Any reliance placed on such information is strictly at the reader’s own risk.
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