6,200+ Special Trains for Diwali & Chhath Puja 2026
Indian Railways to run over 6,200 special trains for Diwali and Chhath Puja 2026, featuring Vande Bharat specials and massive routes to Bihar.
Indian Railways has announced a massive festive transport initiative to handle the expected surge in passengers during the Diwali and Chhath Puja 2026 celebrations. To ensure smooth travel for millions of devotees and families, the railway network has scheduled more than 6,200 special train trips.
This year's operational plan marks a significant 30% increase compared to the 4,666 trips operated during the same festive period last year. The massive deployment includes 42 newly regularized trains providing approximately 2,600 trips, supplemented by 3,600 previously announced special services.
Massive Boost for Bihar-Bound Travelers
With Chhath Puja being a major festival in the eastern states, Indian Railways has placed a heavy emphasis on routes serving Bihar. Authorities have dedicated more than 2,500 special trips specifically to this region to accommodate the heavy influx of passengers.
Key corridors that will see increased activity include:
- Delhi-Patna and Delhi-Gaya
- Shakurbasti-Darbhanga
- Anand Vihar-Patliputra
- Chandigarh-Patna
- New Delhi-Howrah
- Pune-Muzaffarpur and Mumbai-Bihar routes
- Khurda Road-Bihar
- Delhi-Kamakhya
- Amritsar-Barauni
Vande Bharat and Key Festival Specials
For those seeking a premium travel experience, a Vande Bharat Festival Special will be operational. This high-speed service will run three days a week between New Delhi and Patna Junction from October 21 to November 26, 2026.
Other notable special services include:
- Pune-Muzaffarpur Special (01481/01482): Running every Tuesday from October 20 to November 24, 2026.
- Delhi-Kamakhya Festival Special (04076): Operating weekly on Saturdays through November 28, 2026.
- New Delhi-Supaul Festival Special (04072): Providing daily service through November 28, 2026.
Enhanced Facilities and Safety Measures
Himanshu Shekhar Upadhyay, the Chief Public Relations Officer of Northern Railway, confirmed that comprehensive arrangements are in place to prioritize passenger safety and convenience. To manage the festive crowds, authorities are focusing on:
- Enhanced crowd management at major stations.
- Deployment of additional ticket counters to reduce waiting times.
- Improved passenger facilities at high-traffic hubs.
Passengers are strictly advised to verify train numbers, operational dates, and seat availability exclusively through official IRCTC or NTES platforms to avoid misinformation.