Indian Railways has announced the operation of several special trains on the Lucknow-Delhi and Varanasi-Delhi routes to handle the expected summer rush in 2026. These services aim to provide relief to passengers during the peak travel period of April to July. Northern Railway is introducing these additional trips to reduce the pressure on regular long-distance trains and accommodate travelers during school holidays.
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What are the schedules for Lucknow and Varanasi special trains?
The railway administration has planned specific dates for these operations to assist travelers during the heavy rush season. The services include multiple trips across different routes starting from mid-April.
- Lucknow-New Delhi Special (04203/04204): This service will be operational from April 20 to July 13, 2026, to manage the summer passenger load.
- Varanasi-Delhi Special (04210): This train is scheduled to run from April 16 to May 21, and will resume from May 28 to July 16, 2026.
- Delhi-Varanasi Weekly (04024/04023): This special weekly service will complete 35 trips between April 21 and July 11, 2026.
- Anand Vihar-Purulia Express: Launched on April 2, this train connects Delhi to Purulia with stops at Lucknow, Ayodhya, and Varanasi.
How can passengers book tickets and what are the facilities?
The special trains are equipped with different types of coaches including AC, sleeper, and general classes to suit various passenger needs. Tickets can be booked through the IRCTC website or at physical railway reservation counters starting from 8:00 AM on the opening day of bookings.
Passengers from intermediate stations like Hardoi are also expected to benefit from these additional services for their travel to the national capital. This initiative is part of a larger network-wide plan to operate approximately 1,484 special trains across India during the summer of 2026. Ticket prices will depend on the class and train type, following the standard pricing structure for special services.