New Jalpaiguri-Gomtinagar Festival Special Train Announced with Thakurganj Stoppage

In a major travel relief for festive commuters across North Bengal and the Seemanchal belt, the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) has approved the operation of dedicated festival special trains to clear the immense passenger rush ahead of Durga Puja, Diwali, and Chhath. Under the official notification sanctioned by the General Manager (Operations), NFR Maligaon, train numbers 05742 and 05741 will connect New Jalpaiguri with Lucknow’s Gomtinagar terminal. A significant takeaway for local commuters in Kishanganj district is the designated commercial stoppage awarded to Thakurganj railway station, guaranteeing direct connectivity to key administrative, economic, and pilgrimage centers across Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.Complete Timetable, Running Dates, and Stoppage ScheduleTrain number 05742 (New Jalpaiguri to Gomtinagar) will operate on Sundays from October 4 through November 29, 2026, while train number 05741 (Gomtinagar to New Jalpaiguri) will make its return journey on Mondays from October 5 through November 30, 2026, completing nine round trips in total. Departing New Jalpaiguri at 8:30 AM, the outbound service arrives at Thakurganj via Siliguri Junction at 10:30 AM with a two-minute halt before proceeding onward. On its return leg, train number 05741 pulls into Thakurganj at 1:10 PM, offering seamless transit windows for regional travelers heading home during peak celebration weeks.Comprehensive 22-Coach Rake and Strategic Route NetworkAssembled with a spacious 22-coach configuration to cater to diverse travel classes, the festive service links vital transportation junctions across Bihar and Eastern Uttar Pradesh. Key halts along its charted corridor include Araria Court, Purnia, Katihar Junction, Naugachia, Mansi Junction, Khagaria, Salauna, Hasanpur Road, Rusera Ghat, Samastipur, Muzaffarpur, Hajipur, Sonpur, and Chhapra Rural before terminating at Gomtinagar. This expansive alignment directly benefits rural and semi-urban pockets of Kishanganj, providing hassle-free, confirmed travel alternatives to working professionals, students, and families navigating the heavy seasonal holiday traffic.