Diwali & Chhath Puja Special: Indian Railways Unveils New Festive Train Schedules!
Indian Railways is gearing up to manage the massive influx of passengers during the upcoming festive season. To ensure smooth travel during Durga Puja, Diwali, and Chhath Mahaparv, a comprehensive schedule of special trains has been announced for the period between October and December 2026.
This strategic initiative aims to provide much-needed relief to commuters by reducing heavy congestion and cutting down the long waiting lists that typically plague regular train routes during these major celebrations.
Major Railway Zones Boosting Services
Several railway zones are actively expanding their operations to meet the surging demand:
- Northern Central Railway (NCR): As of September 20, 2026, NCR has launched five new special train services. These will connect Prayagraj, Subedarganj, and Kanpur with various destinations across North, South, and West India.
- Northern Railway: Two additional festival special express trains are being operated to accommodate travelers.
- South Central Railway: The zone has extended the services of four major weekly special trains. This extension will provide 66 additional trips across several states, including West Bengal, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Karnataka.
Key Festive Train Details & Routes
Travelers can look forward to several specific services designed to connect major hubs:
- Ajmer-Ranchi Puja Special (09619/09620): This service will run via Jaipur, completing nine trips in each direction between October 2 and November 29.
- Amritsar-Barauni-Amritsar Festival Special Express (04668/04667): Passing through Bareilly, this train is scheduled to operate from October 4 to December 1.
- Yog Nagri Rishikesh-Kolkata Special Express: This route will be operational from October 16 to November 20.
Increased Connectivity for Bareilly and Major Hubs
The timetable for six festival special trains passing through Bareilly has been officially confirmed. These services, running from October through December, include vital routes such as:
- Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra to Varanasi
- Jammu Tawi to Varanasi
- Shri Ganganagar to Samastipur
To cater to diverse passenger needs, these trains will feature multiple coach categories, including