Central Railway to Run 162 Special Trains for Diwali & Chhath 2026
To tackle the massive passenger surge during the upcoming 2026 festive season, Central Railway has announced the operation of 162 additional special train services. These trains are specifically designed to cater to the heavy travel demand during Durga Puja, Diwali, and Chhath Puja.
With this latest announcement, the total number of festival special services managed by the zone has increased to 580. This strategic move aims to provide smoother connectivity for passengers traveling home to celebrate with their families.
Key Routes and Train Schedules
Central Railway has detailed several important routes that will see increased frequency during the holiday period:
LTT-Banaras Bi-Weekly Special
A total of 24 bi-weekly services will run between Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (LTT) and Banaras. The schedule is as follows:
- Train 01051: Departs LTT every Wednesday and Thursday.
- Train 01052: Departs Banaras every Thursday and Friday.
Scheduled stops for these services include: Nasik Road, Jalgaon, Bhusawal, Khandwa, Itarsi, Katni, Satna, Manikpur, Prayagraj Chheoki, and Varanasi.
LTT-Varanasi-LTT Weekly Special
Eight services (Train numbers 04225/04226) are scheduled to run during the peak period. These trains will depart LTT between October 23 and November 13, 2026, and depart Varanasi between October 22 and November 12, 2026. Key stops include Bhusawal and Khandwa.
Other Major Special Services
- LTT-Samastipur Weekly AC Special: 12 special services have been lined up for this route.
- LTT-Danapur Daily Special: To accommodate the high demand, 88 daily special services will operate on this route.
Important Fare Information for Passengers
Passengers booking these special services should be aware of the specific pricing structure. As these are '0' series festival trains, additional surcharges apply:
- Second Class: 10% additional fare surcharge.
- Sleeper and AC Classes: 30% additional fare surcharge.
Please note that no concessions are applicable on these festival special services.
How to Book Tickets
Travelers can secure their seats through the following official channels:
- The official IRCTC website.
- Computerized reservation centers.
- The RailOne