12,500 Diwali and Chhath Puja Special Trains Announced!
Indian Railways has unveiled a massive festive travel plan, approving 12,500 Diwali and Chhath Puja special trains to accommodate the surge in passengers during the 2026 festive season. These services are scheduled to operate from October 1 to November 30, 2026, providing much-needed connectivity between major metropolitan hubs and states such as Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, and Assam.
Regional Connectivity and Demand Management
To handle the heavy influx of travelers, railway authorities have implemented specific regional strategies. The Central Railway has announced 418 special services originating from key locations including Mumbai, Pune, and Nagpur. Meanwhile, the North Central Railway has confirmed 1,053 'Trains on Demand' (TOD) trips to manage the increased passenger load effectively.
Key Festive Routes and Destinations
The special services will cover several high-demand routes to ensure smooth travel for millions of commuters. Key connections include:
- From Delhi: Services to Patna, Darbhanga, Muzaffarpur, Jogbani, and Kanpur.
- From Mumbai: Routes to Danapur, Banaras (Varanasi), and Gorakhpur.
- From LTT (Mumbai): Direct services to Mau and Banaras.
- From Hadapsar: Connections to Gorakhpur and Ghazipur City.
A significant service for those traveling to Purvanchal and Bihar is the Jodhpur-Gorakhpur-Jodhpur special. This train will traverse through Gurugram, Rewari, Delhi Cantt, Ayodhya Dham, and Basti to support travelers on these popular routes.
Booking Information and Essential Rules
Ticket bookings for many of these festive services commenced on September 27, 2026, with additional booking windows opening on September 28, 2026. Passengers can secure their seats through the following methods:
- Computerized reservation centers.
- The official IRCTC website (irctc.co.in).
- The RailOne mobile application.
- The UTS system for unreserved coaches.
Passengers are advised to note that tickets for these festive specials carry special charges. Furthermore, railway authorities have issued a strict warning regarding e-tickets: any fully waitlisted e-ticket that remains unconfirmed after the final chart preparation will be automatically cancelled. Passengers holding such tickets are strictly prohibited from boarding reserved coaches.
Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw confirmed the approval of these services, highlighting the government's commitment to facilitating travel for millions during the holidays. Railway officials, including CPROs Dr. Swapnil Nila and Dr. Shivam Sharma, have urged passengers to use only authorized booking platforms and ensure they carry valid tickets to avoid any last-