Chhath Puja Special Trains: 650 Services to Handle Festive Rush
Indian Railways is operating 650 special trains for Chhath Puja and Diwali. North Western Railway completes 971 trips to manage the massive surge.
To manage the massive travel surge during the Diwali and Chhath Puja festival season, Indian Railways is operating approximately 650 Chhath Puja special trains throughout November 2026. These additional services are designed to facilitate transit to high-demand destinations in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, and the North East.
North Western Railway's Massive Operational Scale
The North Western Railway has been at the forefront of managing the holiday influx. The zone has successfully operated 137 special trains, completing a staggering total of 971 trips. To further ease the pressure on the network, authorities have also supplemented existing services by attaching extra coaches to regular train sets.
Intense Activity in the Northern Railway Region
The Northern Railway region has seen a significant deployment of resources to accommodate the heavy passenger volume. On November 13 alone, 24 special trains were deployed from major hubs, including New Delhi, Anand Vihar, and Shakur Basti. This follows a period of intense operations, with 31 special trains running on November 12 and 34 operations recorded on November 11.
AI-Powered Monitoring and Strict Crowd Control
To ensure passenger safety and prevent platform congestion, Indian Railways has implemented several high-tech and administrative measures:
- AI-Based Monitoring: Real-time tracking of passenger movement is being conducted using AI-based systems to manage crowds effectively.
- Dedicated Holding Areas: Major stations have been equipped with specialized holding areas to ensure orderly boarding and prevent overcrowding on platforms.
- Platform Ticket Restrictions: To maintain order at major terminals, the sale of platform tickets has been temporarily suspended until November 14.
- Parcel Traffic Limits: At extremely busy hubs such as Mumbai’s CSMT and LTT, parcel traffic is being restricted for a period of 8 to 10 days to prioritize passenger movement.
Tips for a Seamless Festive Journey
Railways officials are encouraging commuters to use digital tools to avoid long queues. The use of the UTS mobile app and various QR code systems is highly recommended to streamline unreserved ticketing. Additionally, authorities have confirmed that round-the-clock monitoring is in place to ensure essential facilities, including security and access to drinking water, remain available for all passengers throughout their journey.