New Delhi: Indian Railways has approved the merger of the Chitrakutdham Karwi-Kanpur Central Express and Maa Belha Devi Dham Pratapgarh-Kanpur Central Express, creating a single service connecting Pratapgarh with Chitrakutdham Karwi.
The merged train, numbered 14123/14124 Maa Belha Devi Dham Pratapgarh-Chitrakutdham Karwi Express, will provide direct connectivity between Pratapgarh, Kanpur Central and Chitrakoot, while also improving access to the Lucknow region.
A major benefit of the merger will be the doubling of passenger capacity. The existing 12-coach composition will be increased to 24 coaches, helping ease overcrowding and meet rising passenger demand on the Kanpur-Pratapgarh corridor.
Passengers travelling between Chitrakoot, Pratapgarh and Lucknow will no longer need to change trains at Kanpur Central, making journeys more convenient. The enhanced service is expected to benefit pilgrims and tourists as well as students, workers, patients, business travellers and those travelling for administrative purposes.
The merged service will cover key stations including Maa Belha Devi Dham Pratapgarh, Chilbila, Amethi, Rae Bareli, Bachhrawan, Lucknow, Unnao, Kanpur Central, Hamirpur Road, Banda, Atarra and Chitrakutdham Karwi.
Railways said the merger will create a more seamless rail corridor between the Awadh and Bundelkhand regions and strengthen connectivity to Chitrakoot, an important religious and cultural destination.
The move is also aimed at making better use of existing railway resources while providing passengers with greater capacity and affordable direct rail connectivity across the corridor.
