Indian Railways has approved the merger of the Chitrakutdham Karwi-Kanpur Central Express and Maa Belha Devi Dham Pratapgarh-Kanpur Central Express, a move aimed at providing direct rail connectivity between Pratapgarh and Chitrakoot and easing overcrowding on the Kanpur-Pratapgarh corridor.
The merged service will operate as Train No. 14123/14124 Maa Belha Devi Dham Pratapgarh-Chitrakutdham Karwi Express, replacing the two existing services.
The merger will provide passengers from Pratapgarh and the Lucknow region with direct connectivity to Chitrakutdham Karwi, eliminating the need to change trains at Kanpur Central.
A major benefit of the merger will be the expansion of the train’s passenger capacity. The existing 12-coach composition will be increased to 24 coaches, effectively doubling the available capacity and helping address overcrowding and rising passenger demand on the route.
The enhanced service will benefit passengers travelling between Pratapgarh, Lucknow, Kanpur, Banda and Chitrakoot, besides providing connectivity to several intermediate towns.
The train will serve important stations including Maa Belha Devi Dham Pratapgarh, Chilbila, Maa Chandrika Devi Dham Antu, Amethi, Gauriganj, Kashimpur, Jais, Fursatganj, Rae Bareli, Harchandpur, Bachhrawan, Nigohan, Lucknow, Manak Nagar, Unnao, Kanpur Central, Bhimsen, Kathara Road, Patara, Ghatampur, Hamirpur Road, Yamuna South Bank, Bharwa Sumerpur, Ragaul, Banda, Atarra and Chitrakutdham Karwi.
Boost to pilgrimage and regional travel
The merged service is expected to particularly benefit passengers travelling to Chitrakoot, an important religious and cultural destination, as well as those travelling between the Chitrakoot, Pratapgarh and Lucknow regions.
Direct connectivity is likely to facilitate pilgrimage and tourism while also benefiting passengers travelling for education, employment, healthcare, business and administrative purposes.
The service will create a more seamless rail link between Bundelkhand and the Awadh region, while connecting Chitrakoot directly with Lucknow and Pratapgarh.
The Ministry of Railways said the merger would also help make more efficient use of existing train-operating resources while providing greater passenger capacity at affordable fares.
The move is expected to strengthen rail connectivity across Uttar Pradesh, improve access to major religious and regional centres and provide relief to passengers facing overcrowding on the Kanpur-Pratapgarh section.
