Indian Railways has officially started the operation of summer special trains for the 2026 season to cater to the increased demand for travel during the vacation period. With more than 2,100 trips planned across various zones, the initiative focuses on providing relief to passengers traveling to North and Northeast regions. These services are scheduled to run through the peak months of April, May, June, and July to ensure comfortable journeys and confirmed seating for everyone.
Major summer special routes and operations
The Northern and North Eastern Railway zones have announced several trains connecting cities like Gorakhpur, Lucknow, Varanasi, and Delhi. For instance, the Chhapra-Jammu Tawi-Chhapra Weekly Special will complete 15 trips to assist pilgrims and tourists heading to Jammu and Kashmir. Additionally, trains from Mumbai and Pune are being directed towards Bihar and Uttar Pradesh to manage the high volume of home-bound passengers during the summer holidays. AI-driven tools are also being used by the department to monitor waitlists and add extra coaches where needed.
Schedule and key train details for 2026
| Train Route | Frequency/Period | Key Stopping Points |
|---|---|---|
| Chhapra-Jammu Tawi Special | Weekly (15 Trips) | Gorakhpur, Lucknow |
| Gorakhpur-Lalkuan Special | Weekly (14 Trips) | Kashipur, Bareilly |
| Mumbai Central-Katihar | May 16 to August 1 | Ujjain, Surat, Vapi |
| Kanpur-Asarva (Ahmedabad) | April 6 to July 14 | Udaipur, Ahmedabad |
| Pune-Gorakhpur | Daily (April 1 to 30) | Central Railway Route |
| Dadar-Gorakhpur | 4 times a week | Nashik Road, Bhusaval |