Chhath Puja Special: New Trains via Kanpur to Ease Bihar Rush
Indian Railways launches special trains via Kanpur to manage Chhath Puja rush. Check schedules for Delhi-Bihar and Purvanchal routes here.
To manage the massive influx of passengers for the upcoming Chhath Puja festival, Indian Railways has introduced several Chhath Puja special trains. These services aim to provide relief to travelers heading to Bihar and Purvanchal during the peak festive period, which falls between November 13 and 16, 2026.
With the festival approaching, the demand for travel from the Delhi region toward Bihar, Jharkhand, and eastern Uttar Pradesh has reached an all-time high. To prevent passenger distress, the railway administration has deployed a significant number of special services specifically routed through the critical Kanpur corridor.
Massive Deployment from Delhi Hubs
On November 11, 2026, Northern Railway successfully operationalized 31 special trains to cater to the holiday rush. These trains were dispatched from several major transit points in the capital, including:
- Anand Vihar Terminal
- New Delhi
- Shakur Basti
- Delhi Junction
- Hazrat Nizamuddin
The primary goal of this massive deployment is to ensure that devotees and travelers can reach their destinations without facing extreme delays or lack of accommodation.
Managing the Waiting List Crisis
The scale of the rush is evident in the current booking statistics. On several regular trains bound for Bihar, waiting lists have surged past 150 to 200 passengers. Recognizing this, railway officials are conducting real-time monitoring of passenger density to determine if even more services will be required in the coming days.
The North Central Railway, particularly the Prayagraj Division, is playing a vital role in managing these movements through key stations like Kanpur Central and Govindpuri.
Key Special Trains to Watch
Several specific services have been highlighted to help passengers plan their journeys:
- New Delhi-Patna Special (02258): This service departed on November 11 and reached Kanpur Central at 10:00 AM.
- Return Services: To manage the post-festival rush, trains 02257 and 02435 have been scheduled.
- Gorakhpur-Bandra Terminus Special (05091/05092): These services continue to operate through the region to assist long-distance travelers.
"The primary objective of these special trains is to ensure the safe and timely movement of devotees during this high-demand festive period," stated North Central Railway officials.
Extra Support for Migrant Workers
Understanding the demographic of the festive rush, the railway administration has taken extra steps to assist migrant workers. To accommodate more travelers, specific trains have been configured with additional unreserved (general) coaches, providing a much-needed option for those traveling on short notice.
Traveler Advisory
Due to the heavy demand on all major festival corridors, passengers are strongly advised to:
- Verify real-time seat availability through the IRCTC website.
- Use the NTES app for live train tracking and schedule updates.
- Plan journeys in advance, as regular trains remain heavily waitlisted.