Itwari–Shalimar Summer Special Train Gets New Timing from April 2

South East Central Railway revises the weekly summer special train schedule; Chhattisgarh passengers to benefit from the updated timetable running through June 26, 2026.

SECR Revises Summer Train Schedule

The South East Central Railway (SECR) has announced a revised timetable for the Itwari–Shalimar Weekly Summer Special train, effective April 2, 2026. The change comes in response to rising passenger footfall during the summer vacation season, with railway officials stating the revised schedule will offer greater convenience to travellers from Chhattisgarh.

Train 08865: Thursday Departures from Itwari

Train No. 08865, running from Itwari to Shalimar, will depart every Thursday from April 2 to June 25, 2026. The train leaves Itwari station at 5:10 PM and is scheduled to arrive at Shalimar the following day at 2:00 PM, covering the route in just over 20 hours.

Train 08866: Return Service on Fridays

The return service, Train No. 08866 from Shalimar to Itwari, operates every Friday from April 3 to June 26, 2026. It departs Shalimar at 6:00 PM and reaches Itwari the next day at 3:35 PM. According to railway sources, the weekly frequency has been maintained to align with typical weekend travel patterns.

Key Stops Across Chhattisgarh

The train halts at several major stations en route, including Gondia, Rajnandgaon, Durg, Raipur, Bilaspur, Champa, Raigarh, Jharsuguda, Rourkela, Chakradharpur, Tatanagar, and Kharagpur.

For passengers in Chhattisgarh, the inward journey timings are as follows — Durg at 9:40 PM, Raipur at 10:25 PM, and Bilaspur at 12:35 AM. On the return leg, the train passes through Bilaspur at 7:25 AM, Raipur at 9:20 AM, and Durg at 11:10 AM.

21 Coaches to Handle Summer Rush

The rake composition of the Itwari–Shalimar Summer Special has been set at 21 coaches. This includes four general coaches, ten sleeper class coaches, three AC three-tier coaches, one AC two-tier coach, and one pantry car. The configuration is designed to accommodate the surge in passengers travelling during peak summer holidays, as per railway officials.

Passengers Advised to Check NTES App

Railway authorities have urged passengers to verify seat availability and up-to-date timings through the NTES (National Train Enquiry System) app or the official Indian Railways website before boarding. Booking for all classes is available via IRCTC, and travellers are advised to plan and book in advance given the high demand expected during the summer break.

Chhattisgarh Travel Gets a Boost

The timing revision is part of SECR's broader effort to ease seasonal congestion on key intercity corridors. As per reports, the Itwari–Shalimar route sees a notable uptick in demand between April and June each year, primarily driven by students and families travelling to and from Odisha, Jharkhand, and West Bengal. The updated schedule, officials indicated, is aimed at ensuring smoother connectivity for Chhattisgarh's commuting population through June 26, 2026 — the last date of the summer special train service.