Janamkatha at 23:57, 23 February 2026

2026-02-23T23:57:57Z

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{{original research|date=February 2025}}
{{short description|Train in India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2016}}
{{italic title}}
{{Use Indian English|date=January 2016}}
{{Infobox rail service
| name = Darjeeling Mail
| image = Darjeeling_Mail_Spl_standing_at_NJP_station.jpg
| caption = Darjeeling Mail at New Jalpaiguri Junction.
| type = [[Superfast Express trains in India|Superfast]]
| locale =
| operator = [[Eastern Railway zone|Eastern Railway]]
| ridership =
| first = {{start date and age|df=yes|1878|01|01}}
| last =
| start = {{rws|Sealdah}} (SDAH)
| stops = 6
| end = [[Haldibari railway station|Haldibari]] (HDB)
| distance = 629 km
| frequency = Daily
| journeytime = 11 hours 20 minutes
| trainnumber = 12343 / 12344
| class = AC First Class, AC 2 Tier, AC 3 Tier, Sleeper Class, General Unreserved
| sleeping = Yes
| seating = Yes
| autorack =
| observation = Large windows
| baggage = Available
| catering = On-board catering, <br/> E-catering
| otherfacilities = Below the seats
| stock = [[LHB coach]]
| gauge = {{track gauge|1676mm}}
| speed = {{convert|130|kph|0|abbr=on}} maximum
| map = [[File:Darjeeling Mail (Sealdah - New Jalpaiguri) route map.png|250px|Darjeeling Mail route map]]
| map_state =
}}
{{Darjeeling Mail route|collapse=y}}
The 12343/12344 '''Darjeeling Mail''' is one of the oldest running trains in India. It connects [[Kolkata]] with [[Haldibari, India|Haldibari]] This is a major train for [[Kolkata]]–[[Siliguri]] route.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://indiarailinfo.com/train/-train-darjeeling-mail-12343/367/325/444|title=12343/Darjeeling Mail (PT) - Sealdah to New Jalpaiguri ER/Eastern Zone - Railway Enquiry|last=PATRANABIS|first=SREERUP|website=India Rail Info|access-date=2020-01-09}}</ref>

==History==

During the [[British Raj|British period]] all connections to [[North Bengal]] were through [[East Bengal]]. From 1878, the railway route from [[Kolkata]], then called Calcutta, to [[Siliguri]] was in two laps. The first lap was a {{convert|184.9|km|mi}} long journey along the [[Eastern Bengal Railway|Eastern Bengal State Railway]] from Calcutta Station (later renamed Sealdah) to Damookdeah Ghat on the southern bank of the [[Padma River]]. The passengers would then avail a ferry across the river. The second lap of the journey was a {{convert|363.1|km|mi}} metre-gauge line of the North Bengal Railway that linked Saraghat on the northern bank of the Padma to Siliguri.<ref name=njp>{{cite web| url = http://www.irfca.org/docs/rinbad-siliguri.html|title = India: the complex history of the junctions at Siliguri and New Jalpaiguri | publisher= IRFCA|accessdate = 2011-11-12 }}</ref>

The {{convert|1.8|km|ft}} long [[Hardinge Bridge]] across the Padma came up in 1912.<ref>{{cite book |last=Chowdhury |first=Sifatul Quader |year=2012 |chapter=Hardinge Bridge |chapter-url=http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Hardinge_Bridge |editor1-last=Islam |editor1-first=Sirajul |editor1-link=Sirajul Islam |editor2-last=Jamal |editor2-first=Ahmed A. |title=Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh |edition=Second |publisher=[[Asiatic Society of Bangladesh]]}}</ref> In 1916 the metre-gauge section north of the bridge was converted to broad gauge, and so the entire Calcutta – Siliguri route became broad-gauge.<ref name=njp/> The route thus roughly ran: [[Sealdah]]–[[Ranaghat]]–[[Bheramara Upazila|Bheramara]]–[[Hardinge Bridge]]–[[Iswardi]]–[[Santahar]]–{{stnlnk|Hili}}–[[Parbatipur Upazila|Parbatipur]]–[[Nilphamari Sadar Upazila|Nilphamari]]–[[Haldibari, India|Haldibari]]–[[Jalpaiguri]]–[[Siliguri]]. The train ran on this route in pre-partition days. Even after the [[partition of India]] it ran on this route for some years.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.irfca.org/articles/isrs/fnrm3-fame-name.html|title = Trains of Fame and Locos with a Name, part 2 |last=Joydeep Dutta and Harsh Vardhan| publisher= [[IRFCA]]| accessdate = 2012-02-22 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.irfca.org/faq/faq-inter.html |title = Geography – International |last=|first= | publisher=[[IRFCA]] | accessdate = 2012-02-22 }}</ref> So before Partition: The train's pre-partition route was roughly: Sealdah–Ranaghat–Bheramara–Hardinge Bridge–Iswardi–Santahar–Hili–Parbatipur–Nilphamari–Haldibari–Jalpaiguri–Siliguri.

With the partition of India in 1947, the major hurdle in connecting Kolkata and Siliguri was that there was no bridge across the Ganges in West Bengal or Bihar. A generally acceptable route to Siliguri was via [[Sahibganj loop]] to {{stnlnk|Rajmahal}}, then across the Ganges by ferry to [[Manihari]] Ghat on the other side, then to [[Kishanganj]] via [[Manihari]], [[Katihar]] and [[Barsoi]] and finally through narrow gauge to Siliguri.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://goethals1907-2007.blogspot.com/2007_10_01_archive.html |title = my school i wish |work = Madhyamgram Re-visited after 15 years | publisher = |accessdate = 2011-01-23 }}</ref> In 1949 Kishanganj–Siliguri section too was converted to metre gauge, thus making the entire route a uni-gauge one.<ref name=njp/>
On 26 January 1950 Sealdah Siliguri ( BG/MG) North Bank mail via Kishanganj was introduced. In 1964 it was renamed as Darjeeling mail.
From 1947 to 1965, the Darjeeling Mail ran from Sealdah to Siliguri, passing through stations like Ranaghat, Gede, Darsana, Santahar, Parbatipur, Nilphamari, and Jalpaiguri, before crossing the border to reach the destination. This route was used after the partition before the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 disrupted the passenger services. Even after the partition of India, the Darjeeling Mail initially continued to operate on a similar route. The Gede and Darsana stations in India and East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) served as custom checkpoints. The services were halted after the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965, severing the route.

From 1965-1971, Darjeeling Mail was made to run via 2 phases. The train used to depart [[Sealdah]] at 12.50 pm & reach {{stnlnk|Barauni}} at 23.30 pm crossing the [[Rajendra Setu]] spanning {{convert|2025|m|ft}} across the Ganges. Then it was a [[Meter Gauge]] journey of {{convert|364.8|km|mi}}. The whole journey of {{convert|923.2|km|mi}} used to take 19 hrs 15 mins. In 1970, {{stnlnk|Barauni}} - {{stnlnk|New Jalpaiguri}} section was converted to [[Broad Gauge]], speeding up the Darjeeling Mail & reduced time. {{stnlnk|New Jalpaiguri}} station was constructed in 1960-1965 period on a greenfield site south of Siliguri Town.

In the early 1970s, when [[Farakka Barrage]] was being constructed, a more radical change was made. Indian Railways created a new broad-gauge rail link from Kolkata, and connected {{stnlnk|New Jalpaiguri}} via {{stnlnk|New Farakka}}, {{stnlnk|Malda Town}}, {{stnlnk|Barsoi}} joining the {{stnlnk|Barauni}} - {{stnlnk|New Jalpaiguri}} section.<ref name=njp/> The {{convert|2256.25|m|ft}} long [[Farakka Barrage]] carries a rail-cum-road bridge across the [[Ganges]]. The rail bridge was thrown open to the public in 1971, thereby linking the [[Barharwa–Azimganj–Katwa loop]] & [[Sahibganj loop]] to {{stnlnk|Malda Town}}, [[Barsoi]], [[Kishanganj]], {{stnlnk|New Jalpaiguri}} and other railway stations in North Bengal.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Salman|first1=Salman M. A.|last2=Uprety|first2=Kishor|title=Conflict and cooperation on South Asia's international rivers: a legal perspective |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8GEr4fyDbqgC&pg=PA135|accessdate= 2011-07-05| year=2002| publisher=World Bank Publications|isbn=978-0-8213-5352-3|pages=135–136}}</ref><ref name=timeline>{{cite web| url = http://irse.bravehost.com/IRHTML.htm| title = Indian Railway History timeline|first=R. P.|last=Saxena| accessdate = 2011-11-20| archive-url = https://archive.today/20120714085533/http://irse.bravehost.com/IRHTML.htm| archive-date = 14 July 2012| url-status = dead}}</ref> Since then Darjeeling Mail has been using the [[Howrah–New Jalpaiguri line]]. The train was numbered 3143 Up/3144 Down with Timings as follows: 3143 used to depart [[Sealdah]] at 19.15 pm, reaching {{stnlnk|New Jalpaiguri}} at 06.30 am next morning & 3144 used to depart {{stnlnk|New Jalpaiguri}} at 18.45 pm, reaching [[Sealdah]] at 06.00 am in next morning. This timings was prevalent until 2004, when Darjeeling Mail was renumbered as 2343/2344 & made Superfast by withdrawing some halts and journey time reduced. A slip train was introduced; consisting of a sleeper class and an AC-3 Tier coach. This service continued further to {{stnlnk|Haldibari}} from {{stnlnk|New Jalpaiguri}}.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Darjeeling Mail Slip |url=https://indiarailinfo.com/train/6874|website=indiarailinfo.com |language=en}}</ref> With the upgradation to LHB coaches, it was cancelled permanently and the entire train was extended till Haldibari. However this decision was met with apprehension as it was thought that it would reduce the importance of New Jalpaiguri station.<ref>{{cite news|title=Ire over Darjeelig Mail's route extension|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/ire-over-darjeeling-mails-route-extension/cid/1880355|date=16 August 2022|access-date=26 June 2025|work=The Telegraph}}</ref>

== Coach composition ==
This train runs with 22 [[LHB coach|Linke-Hoffman Busch coaches]]. It has two dedicated rakes with primary maintenance at {{stnlnk|Sealdah}}. It is an ISO 9001:2008 certified train. <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://indiarailinfo.com/train/-train-darjeeling-mail-12343/367/325/444|title=12343/Darjeeling Mail (PT) - Sealdah to New Jalpaiguri ER/Eastern Zone - Railway Enquiry|website=India Rail Info|access-date=2025-06-22}}</ref>
{{Indian Railways coach composition legend}}
'''Coach Position of 12343 (ex. Sealdah)'''
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders unsortable" style="text-align:center"
! rowspan="1" scope="col" style="background:yellow;" |Loco
! rowspan="1" scope="col" style="background:orange;" |1
! rowspan="1" scope="col" style="background:orange;" |2
! rowspan="1" scope="col" style="background:orange;" |3
! rowspan="1" scope="col" style="background:orange;" |4
! rowspan="1" scope="col" style="background:orange;" |5
! rowspan="1" scope="col" style="background:orange;" |6
! rowspan="1" scope="col" style="background:orange;" |7
! rowspan="1" scope="col" style="background:orange;" |8
! rowspan="1" scope="col" style="background:orange;" |9
! rowspan="1" scope="col" style="background:lightskyblue;" |10
! rowspan="1" scope="col" style="background:lightskyblue;" |11
! rowspan="1" scope="col" style="background:lightskyblue;" |12
! rowspan="1" scope="col" style="background:lightskyblue;" |13
! rowspan="1" scope="col" style="background:lightskyblue;" |14
! rowspan="1" scope="col" style="background:lightskyblue;" |15
! rowspan="1" scope="col" style="background:lightskyblue;" |16
! rowspan="1" scope="col" style="background:lightskyblue;" |17
! rowspan="1" scope="col" style="background:lightskyblue;" |18
! rowspan="1" scope="col" style="background:lightskyblue;" |19
! rowspan="1" scope="col" style="background:orange;" |20
! rowspan="1" scope="col" style="background:orange;" |21
! rowspan="1" scope="col" style="background:yellow;" |22
|-
|[[File:BSicon_LDER.svg|25x25px]]
|EOG
|GEN
|GEN
|S1
|S2
|S3
|S4
|S5
|S6
|B1
|B2
|B3
|B4
|B5
|B6
|B7
|A1
|A2
|H1
|GEN
|GEN
|EOG
|}

'''Coach Position of 12344 (ex. New Jalpaiguri)'''
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders unsortable" style="text-align:center"
! rowspan="1" scope="col" style="background:yellow;" |Loco
! rowspan="1" scope="col" style="background:orange;" |1
! rowspan="1" scope="col" style="background:orange;" |2
! rowspan="1" scope="col" style="background:orange;" |3
! rowspan="1" scope="col" style="background:lightskyblue;" |4
! rowspan="1" scope="col" style="background:lightskyblue;" |5
! rowspan="1" scope="col" style="background:lightskyblue;" |6
! rowspan="1" scope="col" style="background:lightskyblue;" |7
! rowspan="1" scope="col" style="background:lightskyblue;" |8
! rowspan="1" scope="col" style="background:lightskyblue;" |9
! rowspan="1" scope="col" style="background:lightskyblue;" |10
! rowspan="1" scope="col" style="background:lightskyblue;" |11
! rowspan="1" scope="col" style="background:lightskyblue;" |12
! rowspan="1" scope="col" style="background:lightskyblue;" |13
! rowspan="1" scope="col" style="background:orange;" |14
! rowspan="1" scope="col" style="background:orange;" |15
! rowspan="1" scope="col" style="background:orange;" |16
! rowspan="1" scope="col" style="background:orange;" |17
! rowspan="1" scope="col" style="background:orange;" |18
! rowspan="1" scope="col" style="background:orange;" |19
! rowspan="1" scope="col" style="background:orange;" |20
! rowspan="1" scope="col" style="background:orange;" |21
! rowspan="1" scope="col" style="background:orange;" |22
|-
|[[File:BSicon_LDER.svg|25x25px]]
|EOG
|GEN
|GEN
|H1
|A2
|A1
|B7
|B6
|B5
|B4
|B3
|B2
|B1
|S6
|S5
|S4
|S3
|S2
|S1
|GEN
|GEN
|EOG
|}

Passengers are advised to check the coach position indicators at the station before boarding.

==Service==
* The 12343 Sealdah - Haldibari Darjeeling Mail leaves {{rws|Sealdah}} at 22:15 hrs everyday and reaches [[Haldibari, India|Haldibari]] 9:40 am the next day at, covering 629 kms distance in 11 hrs 20 mins averaging at {{cvt|64.00|km/h|mph}}.
* The 12344 Haldibari – Sealdah Darjeeling Mail leaves [[Haldibari, India|Haldibari]] at 18:15 hrs everyday and reaches {{rws|Sealdah}} the next day at 05:00 hrs, covering 629 kms distance in 10 hrs 25 mins averaging at {{cvt|63.60|km/h|mph}}.
* On its route, the train stops at [[Jalpaiguri railway station|Jalpaiguri]] , [[New Jalpaiguri Junction railway station|New Jalpaiguri Junction]] , {{rws|Barddhaman Junction}}, {{rws|Bolpur Shantiniketan}}, {{rws|Malda Town}}, and {{rws|Kishanganj}} stations.

==Traction==
Since the route is completely electrified, this train is hauled entirely by a [[Electric Loco Shed, Howrah|Howrah]] or a {{stnlnk|Sealdah}} based [[WAP-7]] locomotive.

==See also==
*[[Sealdah railway station]]
*[[New Jalpaiguri railway station ]]
*[[Darjeeling Himalayan Railway]]
*[[Hatibari railway station|Haldibari Railway Station]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{external media
| float=right
| video1= [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ViSXdiujV5M Darjeeling Mail-WDP4 magic with 8 AC coaches]
| video2= [http://video.hmongclip.com/?w=V7pT8FTHWwY&title=Darjeeling-Mail Darjeeling Mail at Kamarkundu Junction]
}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20140408180437/http://www.indianrail.gov.in/ Railway Website]

{{Historical trains in India}}
{{Railways in Eastern India}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Darjeeling Mail}}
[[Category:Transport in Kolkata]]
[[Category:Rail transport in West Bengal]]
[[Category:Named passenger trains of India]]
[[Category:Transport in Siliguri]]
[[Category:Transport in Jalpaiguri]]
[[Category:Mail trains in India]]

Darjeeling Mail - Revision history

Janamkatha at 23:57, 23 February 2026