1,000+ Special Trains for Diwali & Chhath 2026 Announced
To accommodate the heavy passenger rush during the upcoming festive season, Indian Railways has announced the deployment of over 1,000 Diwali Chhath 2026 special trains to ensure smoother travel across the country. These services, primarily scheduled from October through December 2026, are designed to connect major metropolitan hubs with high-demand destinations in states like Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.
Central Railway to Run 418 Special Services
Central Railway (CR) is set to operate 418 special train services to manage the seasonal surge. These trains will depart from key stations including CSMT, Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (LTT), Pune, Hadapsar, and Nagpur. According to CR Chief Public Relations Officer Dr. Swapnil Nila, bookings for these specific services commenced on September 27 and September 28, 2026.
Some of the highlighted routes under Central Railway include:
- CSMT to Gorakhpur: 64 daily services (Trains 01079 and 01080).
- LTT to Mau: 24 bi-weekly services.
- LTT to Banaras: 24 bi-weekly services.
North Central and Northern Railway's Massive Deployment
The North Central Railway (NCR) is taking a significant step by committing to over 1,053 special train trips. These will operate as 'Trains on Demand' (TODs) to meet fluctuating passenger requirements, as confirmed by CPRO Dr. Shivam Sharma.
Simultaneously, Northern Railway is deploying special festival trains across busy corridors. These services will connect Delhi to various regions including West Bengal, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Maharashtra, and parts of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. Key terminals in Delhi, such as New Delhi, Anand Vihar Terminal, Old Delhi, and Hazrat Nizamuddin, will serve as primary starting points.
Major Routes and Trip Counts
To provide relief to commuters traveling to destinations like Patna, Darbhanga, Muzaffarpur, and Ayodhya Cantt, the following special services have been scheduled: