December 5, 2025
Lok Sabha MP Rachna Banerjee’s Zero Hour mention on the need for the Union government to divert the Sealdah-Ajmer Express to ensure a stoppage at Bandel so that people from there can also visit the holy sites along its route
Good afternoon, Sir. Thank you for the opportunity. On behalf of the people of my constituency, Hooghly, I want to draw the attention of the Government towards the stoppage at Bandel Junction for the Sealdah – Ajmer Express (12987/12988). This is a matter that I
have raised multiple times before. However, it is extremely saddening that over one year has passed, neither have I received any response from the Government nor the demand for a simple stoppage at Bandel Junction has been met. The Bandel Junction is a key transit point for nearby localities such as Bansberia, Pandua, Champadani, Rishra, Shrirampur, and Chuchura. There is a growing need for improved connectivity to major religious destinations like Parasnath, Prayagraj, and Ajmer, as well as tourist centres such as Agra Bharatpur, and Jaipur. A large number of people along with their families and many devotees from the region regularly travel to Ajmer to visit the sacred Dargah of Khwaja Garib Nawaz (Ajmer Sharif) and other Hindu holy cities on the route as I mentioned before.The Sealdah-Ajmer Express passes through these religious towns and tourist destinations. A little route diversion of this train with a stoppage at Bandel Junction would make it much easier for the devotees to travel to Ajmer and other holy cities. This change would have saved valuable time and effort for commuters, who otherwise need to travel for more than one-and-a-half hours to reach Bardhaman or Sealdah to board the train. I, therefore, urge upon the hon. Minister of Railways to consider this long pending demand. This step would greatly help the people by saving their valuable time and significantly improving the convenience and connectivity to the region. Thank you, Sir
