Diwali Chhath 2026: Massive Special Train Plan Unveiled
Indian Railways announces 6,200+ special trains for Diwali and Chhath 2026 to manage festive rush across UP, Bihar, and West Bengal.
Indian Railways has announced an extensive strategic plan to manage the massive surge of passengers expected during the 2026 festive season. To prevent station chaos, the deployment of Diwali Chhath special trains will be a primary focus, alongside enhanced security protocols and increased coach capacity to serve travelers heading home.
Northern and Central Railway Lead Festive Preparations
The Northern Railway is spearheading the effort with a massive rollout of over 6,200 special train trips. This marks a significant 30% increase compared to the 4,666 trips provided during the previous year. These services are specifically designed to connect Delhi to major destinations across Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and West Bengal.
In addition to the Northern Railway's efforts, Central Railway has scheduled 418 special services to transport passengers from Mumbai to various locations throughout Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.
Boosting Capacity and New Route Announcements
To ensure every passenger finds a seat, Indian Railways is implementing several capacity-boosting measures:
- Coach Enhancements: 16 extra coaches are being added to regular trains, while 10 special services will feature additional AC coaches.
- Raipur Division Updates: In the Raipur Railway Division, seven passenger trains will now include two additional general coaches each.
- New Special Services:
- Durg to Nizamuddin: Three trips each way between November 1 and November 16.
- Pune to Danapur: Operating from November 1 to November 13.
- Khatipura to Kamakhya: Running every Thursday from October 29 to November 26.
Additionally, the Raipur Railway Division has implemented temporary platform rescheduling for three Bihar-bound trains between November 4 and November 14 to streamline movement.
Strict Security and Fire Safety Protocols
Security is being intensified across the network. The Government Railway Police (GRP) and Railway Protection Force (RPF) will deploy advanced surveillance tools, including CCTV cameras and drones, supported by specialized control rooms to monitor crowds.
In a major safety move to prevent fire hazards, a new regulation has been introduced: mobile, laptop, and power bank charging points will be deactivated on all trains operating through Ara between 11 PM and 5 AM.
"These comprehensive efforts are designed to ensure passengers face minimal difficulty while traveling home," stated Himanshu Shekhar Upadhyay, Chief Public Relations Officer of Northern Railway.
Station Management and High-Level Coordination
To manage the heavy footfall at stations, authorities are creating dedicated holding areas, increasing the number of ticket counters, and deploying additional staff. This massive undertaking follows high-level discussions at the 8th All India Conference of GRP Chiefs, where RPF Director General Sonali Mishra and Railway Board Chairman and CEO Satish Kumar focused on nationwide festive security and crowd management strategies.