1,000+ Festive Special Trains: Indian Railways' Massive Diwali & Chhath Puja Plan!
Indian Railways has unveiled a massive operational plan to tackle the heavy passenger surge expected during the upcoming Diwali and Chhath Puja festivals. Between October 1 and November 30, 2026, more than 1,000 special train trips will be in operation to ensure travelers can reach their destinations comfortably.
Major Routes and High-Demand Services
The special services are strategically designed to connect major hubs like Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, and Mumbai. The Northern Railway is taking a significant lead, confirming over 300 additional trips specifically to cater to passengers traveling from the Delhi and NCR regions.
Key Northern Railway Special Trips:
- New Delhi-Supaul-New Delhi: 118 trips
- Anand Vihar Terminal-Bhagalpur-Anand Vihar: 94 trips
- New Delhi-Howrah-New Delhi: 18 trips
Regional Highlights: Jammu and Western Railways
The Jammu Division will introduce three pairs of reserved festival special trains. These services will connect Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra, Jammu Tawi, New Delhi, and Varanasi.
In the West, Western Railway has expanded its reach by increasing trips for seven pairs of special trains departing from Mumbai. These services will link Mumbai with various cities across Gujarat, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh.
Notable Special Train Services
Several specific services have been highlighted to assist holiday travelers:
- Udhna-Ayodhya Cantt Special
- Mumbai Central-Mau Puja Special
- Pune-Gorakhpur-Pune Daily Special
- Mumbai CSMT-Gorakhpur Daily Special
Subedarganj-Bhagat Ki Kothi Bi-weekly Special (04193/04194): This service will run from October 1 to November 30 (departing Subedarganj on Mondays and Thursdays) and from October 2 to December 1 (departing Bhagat Ki Kothi on Tuesdays and Fridays).
Booking Information and Coach Availability
To accommodate the diverse needs of passengers, these special trains will feature a variety of coach types, including Air-conditioned, Sleeper, and General class coaches. Across the national network, more than 100 special services will link states including Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Assam, Delhi, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and West Bengal.
Passengers can begin booking their tickets through the IRCTC portal or at PRS counters. Booking for several of these new services officially commenced on September 23, 2026.