Delhi-Varanasi Special Train Launched for Diwali Rush
To manage the massive surge in passenger traffic during the upcoming festive season, Northern Railway has introduced a new reserved special express train service connecting Delhi and Varanasi. This special initiative is designed to provide much-needed relief to commuters traveling for Diwali and Chhath Puja.
Detailed Schedule for Train 04032 (Delhi to Varanasi)
The special service, designated as train 04032, is set to depart from Delhi at 9:10 PM on October 17, 2026. The train will follow a route that includes several major stops to cater to passengers across the region.
The journey includes stops at the following stations:
- New Delhi
- Ghaziabad
- Hapur
- Moradabad
- Bareilly
- Shahjahanpur
- Hardoi
- Lucknow (Arrives 6:30 AM, departs 6:40 AM on October 18)
- Ayodhya Cantt (Arrives 9:40 AM, departs 9:45 AM)
- Jaunpur Junction (Arrives 1:10 PM)
- Varanasi Junction (Final arrival at 3:00 PM on October 18)
Return Journey: Train 04031 (Varanasi to Delhi)
For passengers heading back, the return service, train 04031, will depart from Varanasi Junction at 8:15 PM on October 18, 2026. The return route will cover the following key locations:
- Jaunpur Junction (Arrives 9:18 PM, departs 9:20 PM)
- Ayodhya Cantt (Arrives 11:40 PM, departs 11:45 PM)
- Lucknow (Arrives 2:10 AM on October 19)
- Delhi (Final arrival at 11:45 AM on October 19)
Coach Composition and Passenger Comfort
Samarth Gupta, Senior Divisional Commercial Manager of the Northern Railway Lucknow Division, confirmed the operation of this special service. To accommodate a wide variety of travelers, the train will utilize a 20-coach configuration.
The coaches are divided into various classes to ensure comfort for all, including:
- General Class for budget-conscious travelers
- Sleeper Class for overnight comfort
- Air-conditioned (AC) Classes for premium travel
This special train service is a strategic move by the railways to ensure that the heavy festive rush does not lead to overcrowding or extreme travel difficulties for passengers moving between the national capital and the holy city of Varanasi.