Diwali & Chhath Puja: Special Trains for Delhi, Malda & Darbhanga
Indian Railways announces special trains for Diwali and Chhath Puja 2026, including routes between Delhi, Darbhanga, and Malda Town.
Indian Railways is gearing up to manage the massive surge in passenger traffic during the upcoming festive season by introducing several special train services. To accommodate the heavy rush for Diwali and Chhath Puja in 2026, new routes have been announced to connect major transit hubs, particularly for those traveling toward Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.
New Malda Town to Shakoorbasti Special Service
To assist commuters in the eastern sector, the railways have introduced the Malda Town-Shakoorbasti special (train numbers 03439/03440). This service will operate for one trip in each direction to help ease the festive congestion.
- Train 03439: Scheduled to depart Malda Town on November 10, 2026, at 10:00 AM, reaching Shakoorbasti at 5:00 PM on November 11.
- Train 03440: The return journey departs Shakoorbasti on November 11, 2026, at 6:50 PM, arriving at Malda Town at 1:45 AM on November 13.
This 22-coach service will provide essential halts at Kiul Junction, Abhaipur, Sahibganj, Bhagalpur, and Jamalpur. Note that while the schedule is set, passengers should monitor official channels as booking details for this specific service may be subject to pending updates.
Delhi to Darbhanga Festive Special
For travelers heading from the national capital toward Bihar, a reserved special service has been announced. The Delhi-Darbhanga special (train numbers 04078/04077) will operate for one trip in each direction on November 10 and 11, 2026, providing a vital link for holiday travelers.
Massive Festive Plan: 100+ Special Trains Announced
The introduction of these routes is part of a large-scale initiative by the Northern and Eastern Railways. For the entire 2026 festival season, Indian Railways has announced over 100 special train pairs to facilitate movement from the Delhi-NCR region to key destinations. Major hubs receiving increased connectivity include:
- Patna
- Muzaffarpur
- Gaya
- Darbhanga
To ensure a hassle-free journey, passengers are strongly advised to verify live seat availability and current reservation status through the official IRCTC website or authorized booking platforms before making travel plans.