Kolkata Sairang Express: Dependable to Mizoram, Derailed by Dismal Food
The Kolkata Sairang Express (13125) departs from Kolkata Chitpur Station, linking the bustling capital of West Bengal to remote Sairang in Mizoram over a grueling 31+ hour journey spanning 1,505 km. It snakes through key Northeast hubs like New Jalpaiguri (NJP), New Cooch Behar (NCB), Kamakhya, and Guwahati, serving Dooars tea gardens, Assam plains, and Mizo hills—perfect for families, traders, or tourists bound for Aizawl.
Service-wise, it's a standout: punctual despite the terrain, with clean AC coaches, charging points, and minimal delays that beat clunkier expresses.
Passengers praise the comfort on this thrice-weekly run (Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Saturdays). Legroom eases the long haul, restrooms stay usable, and stops like NJP or Guwahati allow quick refreshments. For regional travelers from Bengal to Mizoram via Assam's gateways, it's comparatively reliable and hassle-free.
Food, however, is the train's Achilles' heel—worse than the usual train fare mediocrity. Pantry meals arrive cold and congealed: oily dal, mushy veggies, and stale rice that scream neglect. Portions shrink midway, hygiene falters post-Guwahati, and flavors? Nonexistent. It's a far cry from fresher options on premium trains, leaving riders to raid platforms at New Cooch Behar or Kamakhya.
Railways could fix this with better vendors. For now, the Sairang Express offers good bones to Mizoram but demands you BYO meals.
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