Chhath Puja Relief: 5 New Special Trains via Gorakhpur Announced
Indian Railways announces 5 extra special trains via Gorakhpur for Chhath Puja to manage passenger rush between Bihar, UP, and major cities.
To tackle the massive surge of passengers during the upcoming Chhath Puja festival, Indian Railways has announced the operation of five additional festival special trains that will transit through Gorakhpur. This strategic move is designed to ease the travel burden for commuters moving between Uttar Pradesh and Bihar during this significant period.
Key Routes for the New Special Trains
The North Eastern Railway (NER) is coordinating these extra services to ensure smoother connectivity for devotees and travelers. The newly announced routes include:
- Chhapra to Mumbai
- Chhapra to Delhi
- Sitamarhi to Anand Vihar
These services are intended to supplement the existing special trains already in operation, such as the New Delhi–Gorakhpur special (Train No. 04022/04021) and the Gorakhpur–Delhi festival special (Train No. 05113/05114).
Wider Festive Connectivity and Schedule
Beyond the Gorakhpur routes, the railway network is being bolstered with several other services to manage the holiday rush. These include trains linking Bandra Terminus to Gorakhpur, as well as various services connecting Mumbai and Pune to Danapur. To accommodate the high volume of travelers, these operational schedules have been specifically tailored to run through November 18, 2026, providing much-needed assistance to passengers returning home after the festivities conclude on November 14.
Strict Crowd Management Measures
In response to the expected heavy footfall at various stations, railway officials have implemented stringent measures to maintain order and safety. One significant step includes the restriction of platform ticket sales at selected stations through November 14. This is part of a broader strategy to prevent overcrowding and ensure a smoother experience for passengers during the peak festival days.
Passengers are strongly advised to verify real-time departure and arrival timings, coach compositions, and route details via the official IRCTC website, the National Train Enquiry System (NTES) app, or by dialing the railway helpline at 139.
Given the high demand and the likelihood of long waiting lists, commuters are encouraged to confirm their ticket availability through authorized channels well in advance of their scheduled departure.