Special Trains between Howrah-Digha
Special between Howrah-Digha (Train No. 02257 / 02258) time table, route, frequency and fare
Keeping in view the demand of the passengers, South Eastern Railway has decided to run Special Train between Howrah and Digha w.e.f. 15.02.2025 both from Howrah and Digha till further advice.
Train No. 02257 Howrah-Digha Special leaving Howrah daily at 06.50 hrs will reach Digha at 10.15 hrs the same day.
In the return direction, Train No. 02258 Digha-Howrah Special leaving Digha daily at 10.35 hrs will arrive Howrah at 13.55 hrs the same day.
The train with two AC Chair Car and twelve General Chair Car coaches will have stoppages at Santragachi, Uluberia, Mechada, Tamluk, Kanthi and Ramnagar between Howrah and Digha.
Passengers are requested to strictly follow all the safety protocols before and during journey in the wake of COVID-19 Pandemic.
Here’s the most up‑to‑date information on special trains running between Howrah and Digha:
Contents
🚋 Special Trains Overview (Howrah ⇄ Digha)
🔴 08113 / 08114 – Howrah–Digha EMU Special
- Operated between Howrah / Santragachi and Digha, scheduled from 26 April to 4 May 2025
- Departure from Howrah at ~13:10, arriving Digha at ~17:35; return from Digha departed at ~17:45 arriving back ~22:35
- Service abruptly cancelled on 27 April 2025 due to rake unavailability and operational constraints, and remained withdrawn with immediate effect until further notice
🔵 02257 / 02258 – Howrah–Digha Special (AC/Chair Car)
- Launched 15 Feb 2021, running daily until further notice as per South Eastern Railway official announcement
- Train 02257 departs Howrah at 06:50, reaches Digha at 10:15; 02258 returns 10:35 → 13:55 same day.
- Coach composition included AC Chair Car and General Chair Cars, with stops at Santragachi, Uluberia, Mecheda, Tamluk, Kanthi and Ramnagar. Continues “till further advice”
🟢 Holiday/Festival Seasonal Sounds
- 08001 Howrah–Digha Special: A weekly train operating on Thu, Fri, Sat, departing Howrah at 14:25, reaching Digha ~17:50 via ~7 halts
- Summer/holiday specials like 02897/02847 Santragachi–Digha Special: usually operate on weekends during peak demand periods like summer; services are extended (often up to September) in mid‑2025 due to high travel demand around events in Digha
🚅 Regular and Superfast Alternatives (Not Special)
- 12857/12858 Tamralipta Express: Daily superfast train covering the route in ~3 h 20 m, including AC Chair Car, chair car, general, with a pantry car; travels at ~56 km/h
- 22897/22898 Kandari Express: Another daily superfast service (~3 h 20 m) with AC Chair Car and general coaches, plus on-board catering. These are regular trains—not categorized as “special.”
⚠️ The former 12847/12848 Howrah–Digha Super AC Express (Shatabdi‑style) has been permanently cancelled, likely in 2025, possibly due to low demand and financial losses during the pandemic era
⚠️ Commendations & Passenger Feedback
Reddit and community discussions report that special train services often run late and have low scheduling priority, making them unreliable options—especially for family travel or time-sensitive trips:
“They … are all ‘special’ trains and run 12–15 hours late … I never even think of booking tickets on special trains”
“Never take special trains!” in multiple comments—the general sentiment is one of strong frustration
🧾 Summary Table
| Train No. | Type | Frequency | Timing (≈) | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 02257/02258 | Howrah–Digha Special | Daily (since 2025) | 06:50–10:15 / 10:35–13:55 | Running |
| 08113/08114 | EMU Festival Special | Apr–May 2025 | 13:10–17:35 / 17:45–22:35 | Cancelled (Apr 27) |
| 08001 | Weekly Special | Thu/Fri/Sat | 14:25–17:50 | Operates periodically |
| 02847 / 02897 etc. | Seasonal Holiday Runs | Summer weekends | Morning services (~2 h) | Extended through Sep 2025 |
✅ Advice for Travellers
- Prefer Tamralipta Express (12857) or Kandari Express (22897) for reliable, timely, AC-chair class travel.
- Special trains, like 02257 etc., are useful during peak demand, but be cautious—they are prone to delays and cancellations.
- Always check up-to-date info via IRCTC, NTES, or South Eastern Railway announcements, especially if planning around festivals like Rath Yatra or temple inaugurations.
Need help checking seat availability or BC coach fares for any specific date? Or tips on getting confirmed tickets closer to festival times? Just let me know!