New superfast train to link Tricity with Lucknow, Kanpur

Chandigarh: The Railway Board has approved a new superfast express between Kalka and Sultanpur via Chandigarh, giving the Tricity an additional direct rail link to Uttar Pradesh. The train, numbered 22260/22259, will operate three days a week via Ambala, Saharanpur, Muzaffarnagar, Meerut and Hathras.The service will offer direct connectivity from Chandigarh and Kalka to key Uttar Pradesh cities, including Lucknow, Kanpur, Meerut and Hathras. It is also expected to benefit passengers travelling from Sultanpur and neighbouring districts to the Tricity.Besides Kalka and Sultanpur, the train will halt at Musafirkhana, Maharaja Bijli Pasi, Haidergarh, Rehmatnagar, Lucknow Charbagh, Unnao, Kanpur Central, Hathras Junction, Bulandshahr, Hapur, Meerut City, Muzaffarnagar, Saharanpur, Ambala Cantt and Chandigarh.The service will run with modern LHB coaches. Primary maintenance will be carried out at Sultanpur, while water refilling and cleaning facilities will be available at Kanpur, Meerut City and Saharanpur.Train No. 22260, Sultanpur-Kalka Superfast Express, will depart Sultanpur at 11.30am every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. It will reach Meerut City at 11pm, depart at 11.05pm and arrive at Kalka at 4.20am the next day.On the return journey, Train No. 22259, Kalka-Sultanpur Superfast Express, will run every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. It will leave Kalka at 11.30am, reach Meerut City at 4.35pm and arrive at Sultanpur at 4.20am the following day.In an order issued by Railway Board director (coaching) Sanjay R Neelam, Northern Railway has been asked to introduce the service at the earliest convenient date. The inaugural run may be operated as a special train if required.The approval comes amid heavy demand on rail routes connecting Chandigarh with Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. Long waiting lists continue on trains such as the Unchahar Express, Kalka Mail and Patliputra Express, while advance bookings on several eastern routes remain high.Push to Extend Chandigarh-Lucknow TrainChandigarh MP Manish Tewari has sought extension of the Chandigarh-Lucknow Express (12232) up to Pratapgarh Junction, saying it would benefit families and other passengers travelling to eastern Uttar Pradesh.He has pointed out that the train remains parked at Lucknow for nearly 12 hours and the idle time could be utilised by extending the service. Railways are examining the proposal, with an extension up to Varanasi also under consideration.Separately, Rajya Sabha MP Satnam Singh Sandhu has urged the Railways to operate the Amritsar-Varanasi train via Chandigarh.