12,000 Special Trains for Diwali & Chhath Puja: Massive Festive Travel Boost!
Indian Railways is gearing up for a monumental festive season by announcing a massive deployment of special trains to accommodate the expected surge in passengers. To manage the heavy rush during Dussehra, Diwali, and Chhath Puja, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has confirmed that over 12,000 special trains will be operational to ensure smoother travel for millions.
Massive Deployment of 'Trains on Demand'
These special services, categorized as 'Trains on Demand' (TODs), are primarily scheduled to run between October 1 and November 30, 2026. However, some services have already commenced in September and are expected to extend into December to cater to the prolonged festive period.
The scale of this operation is significant across different zones. For instance, Central Railway will deploy 1,702 special trains, while the North Central Railway is set to operate 1,053 TOD trips, as noted by Dr. Shivam Sharma, Chief Public Relations Officer for the North Central Railway.
Connecting Major Hubs and Regional Destinations
The extensive network of special trains is designed to connect major metropolitan hubs with key destinations across various states, including Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Assam, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Punjab, and Delhi.
Key travel corridors include services from Delhi, Chandigarh, Mumbai, and Varanasi to essential destinations such as Patna, Darbhanga, Muzaffarpur, Jogbani, and Kanpur. Other notable arrangements include:
- Northern Railway: Managing services connecting Delhi, Katra, Jammu, and Varanasi.
- West Central Railway: Running six pairs of festival specials via the Bhopal Division.
- Localized Demand: Specific routes, such as the service from Charlapalli to Srikakulam Road, have been established to meet regional needs.
Smart Savings: 20% Discount on Return Journeys
To make festive travel more affordable, the Railways is offering a 20% discount on return tickets for passengers traveling during specific windows. To benefit from this offer, travelers must adhere to the following schedule:
- Outbound Journey: Must be scheduled between October 13 and October 26.
- Return Journey: Must take place between November 17 and December 1.
Passengers can book their tickets via the IRCTC website or mobile application, with advance reservations available up to 60 days before the scheduled departure.
Ensuring Safety, Capacity, and Comfort
With the anticipated high footfall, Indian Railways is prioritizing crowd management and passenger experience through several strategic measures:
- Increased Capacity: Extra coaches are being attached to existing regular trains to expand passenger capacity and help reduce long waiting lists.
- Enhanced Security: Additional commercial staff and Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel are being deployed at stations to manage the crowds effectively.
- Cleanliness Standards: Authorities are committed to maintaining high cleanliness standards across the network throughout the high-traffic festive period.