Diwali & Chhath Puja 2026: Indian Railways to Run 12,000+ Special Trains!
Indian Railways is preparing for a massive festive season in 2026, ensuring that millions of travelers can reach their destinations during the Diwali and Chhath Puja celebrations. To manage the anticipated passenger surge, the ministry has announced a monumental deployment of over 12,000 special trains across the nation.
This massive scale-up is a significant jump from the previous year, where 7,750 special trains were operated. According to Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, 10,000 of these services have already been notified. To provide an extra safety net for last-minute travelers, 150 fully unreserved trains are being kept on standby for immediate deployment.
Major Routes and Connectivity Highlights
The special services are designed to connect major hubs across a vast network of states, including Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Assam, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Punjab, and Delhi.
Key routes that passengers should keep an eye on include:
- Kanpur Central to SMVT Bengaluru (04131/04132): A weekly service operating from October 4 to November 18, 2026.
- Kanpur Central to Madurai (01925/01926): Running from September 2 through November 28, 2026.
- New Delhi to Howrah (04052/04051): Connecting via Kanpur and Prayagraj.
- Kanpur Central to Guwahati: Providing essential links to the Northeast.
Additionally, regional connectivity will be bolstered through services from Agra Cantt, Prayagraj, and Azamgarh.
Smart Monitoring via 'Trains on Demand' (TODs)
The railway administration is employing a data-driven approach to manage these services. North Central Railway (NCR) CPRO Dr. Shivam Sharma noted that many of these services are categorized as 'Trains on Demand' (TODs). These trains are being monitored using real-time booking patterns and waiting list data, allowing the railways to potentially expand services if demand continues to rise.