Diwali Chhath Puja 2026: Special Trains for Pune-Danapur & More
Indian Railways announces special trains for Diwali and Chhath Puja 2026, including Pune-Danapur and Khatipura-Kamakhya routes to ease congestion.
To tackle the massive surge in passenger demand, Indian Railways has announced several Diwali Chhath Puja special trains for 2026. These services are specifically designed to provide relief to commuters facing long waiting lists on popular routes connecting Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and Bihar to the Northeast.
Central Railway: Pune to Danapur Special Services
Central Railway is introducing 18 special trips on the Pune-Danapur route to facilitate travel for passengers heading towards Bihar. The following services have been scheduled:
- Train No. 01441: This service will operate five days a week from November 1 to November 13, 2026. It is scheduled to depart from Pune at 7:40 PM.
- Train No. 01449 & 01450: These daily services will run from October 26 to November 30, 2026 (01449), while the return service (01450) will operate daily from October 27 to December 2, 2026.
These trains will pass through several key stations, including Manmad, Bhusawal, Itarsi, Jabalpur, Satna, Manikpur, Prayagraj Chheoki, Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction, Buxar, and Ara before reaching Danapur.
North Western Railway: Khatipura to Kamakhya Weekly Special
Connecting Rajasthan with Northeast India, the North Western Railway has introduced a weekly special service between Khatipura (Jaipur) and Kamakhya.
- Train No. 09711: Departing from Khatipura every Thursday at 7:40 AM (from October 29 to November 26, 2026), it will arrive at Kamakhya at 11:45 PM the following day.
- Train No. 09712: The return service will depart Kamakhya every Saturday at 5:00 AM (from October 31 to November 28, 2026), reaching Khatipura at 10:40 PM the next day.
The train will make scheduled halts at Manasi, Khagaria, Navgachhia, and Ara Junction. Local officials have noted that this service will be a significant aid to commuters from the Kosi region.
Important Festive Dates for 2026
Passengers planning their travel should keep the following festive dates in mind:
- Diwali: Celebrations are expected to span from November 6 to November 10, with the main festival on November 8, 2026.
- Chhath Puja: The festivities will run from November 13 to November 16, with the main observation on November 15, 2026.