Howrah-New Delhi-Howrah AC Special train is continuing to provide transport facility during lockdown
Howrah-New Delhi-Howrah AC Special train is continuing to provide transport facility during lockdown
HOWRAH-NEW DELHI-HOWRAH AC SPECIAL TRAIN CONTINUING TO PROVIDE TRANSPORT FACILITY DURING LOCK DOWN
Train No.02301 / Train No.02302 Howrah-New Delhi-Howrah AC Special train is continuing transport facility to the persons on emergency situation during lockdown period since the maiden journey of Train No.02301 Howrah-New Delhi AC Special leaving Howrah station on 12.5.2025 and that of Train No.02302 New Delhi-Howrah AC Special train from New Delhi on 13.5.2025.
Today (25.5.2025) as many as 851 passengers boarded this train (Train No.02301) from Howrah station after following the precautionary health protocols.
ER’s RPF and other Officials were present to conduct pre-board thermal screening and maintaining social distancing.
Besides, 991 passengers were de-boarded at Howrah station today from the train (Train No.02302) arrived from New Delhi and passed through thermal screening before leaving the station premises for their destination.
Here’s the verified overview of the Howrah–New Delhi–Howrah AC Special train that continued operating during the COVID-19 lockdown, providing vital transport for stranded passengers:
Contents
🚆 Train Overview
- Train Numbers:
- 02301 – Howrah → New Delhi
- 02302 – New Delhi → Howrah
- Operated as a fully reserved air-conditioned special starting mid‑May 2020, complementing Shramik Special operations. This service ran daily during the lockdown period. ([turn0search21]turn0search13]turn0search0])
🕒 Schedule & Stoppages
- 02301 (Howrah → New Delhi)
- Departure: ~17:05 from Howrah
- Arrival: Next day ~10:00 at New Delhi
- Halts: Asansol, Dhanbad, Gaya, Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya (Mughalsarai), Prayagraj, Kanpur
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- 02302 (Return: New Delhi → Howrah)
- Arrived Howrah around noon; ~991 passengers de-boarded with mandatory thermal screening
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- Arrived Howrah around noon; ~991 passengers de-boarded with mandatory thermal screening
🧾 Booking & Demand
- Ticket Booking Demand:
- AC classes (AC‑1 and AC‑3) sold out within minutes—confirmed bookings were completed within 10–20 minutes of opening. ([turn0search3]turn0search11])
- Passenger Safety Measures:
- Pre‑boarding thermal screening, mandatory Aarogya Setu app usage, and social distancing protocols enforced at departure and arrival. ([turn0search0]turn0search3])
✅ Key Highlights
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Evacuation and transportation during COVID-19 lockdown |
| Train Type | Fully reserved AC special (no unreserved coaches) |
| Frequency | Daily service during operation period |
| Major Stops | Asansol, Dhanbad, Gaya, Pt. DDU, Prayagraj, Kanpur |
| Travel Duration | ~17 hours from Howrah to New Delhi |
| Health Protocols | Thermal screening, Aarogya Setu, crowd control at stations |
🧠 Why This Was Important
- Operated as one of the first long-distance intercity AC specials during the national lockdown, it helped stranded students, workers, and residents return home safely.
- This train was distinct from Shramik specials (which were point-to-point migrant services); instead, it functioned as an AC corridor-specific evacuation service under strict safety norms. ([turn0search18]turn0search21])
Would you like:
- Passenger eligibility rules or seating config?
- Exact coach composition or booking quotas?
- Details of how this service compared with the Delhi–Howrah Rajdhani/Duronto during that period?
Just let me know!