Diwali & Chhath Puja: Indian Railways Adds 6,200+ Special Trains
Indian Railways announces 6,200+ special trains for Diwali and Chhath Puja. Enhanced security with facial recognition and RPF deployment for travelers.
Indian Railways is gearing up for the massive festive rush of Diwali and Chhath Puja by announcing a significant boost in services, including over 6,200 special train trips. This massive deployment is designed to accommodate the record number of passengers expected to travel during the upcoming festive season.
A Massive Surge in Train Capacity
To manage the high demand, the railway network is implementing significant operational adjustments. Compared to the 4,666 trips operated last year, this year's plan marks a 30% increase in special services. By October 13, a total of 8,454 special train trips had already been announced as part of a broader strategy covering approximately 3.4 lakh regular train services between October 1 and November 30, 2026.
Central Railway is playing a major role in this expansion, operating roughly 1,000 special trains. These services provide 9.25 million seats, with reports indicating that 85% of the capacity was already reserved by October 23.
New Routes and High-Demand Destinations
Several new service additions are scheduled to launch on October 31, 2026, featuring premium models like Vande Bharat and Amrit Bharat Express. Some of the specific new routes include:
- Pune-Danapur-Hadapsar
- Khatipura-Kamakhya
- Udhna, Surat to Madhubani, Bihar
Despite the massive influx of special trains, officials have noted that confirmed tickets remain extremely limited for high-demand routes. Travelers heading to Varanasi, Gorakhpur, Ayodhya, Bihar, and West Bengal may face long waiting lists extending past November 15.
High-Tech Security and Crowd Management
To ensure passenger safety and manage the heavy crowds, Railway Board Chairman and CEO Satish Kumar has led discussions on enhanced security protocols. During the 8th All India Conference of GRP Chiefs, several key measures were highlighted:
- Facial Recognition Systems (FRS): Deployment of advanced technology for better monitoring.
- Enhanced Surveillance: Increased use of CCTV cameras across stations.
- Crowd Control: The Delhi Railway Division is implementing coordinated models involving barricading and enhanced public announcements.
- Station Infrastructure: Northern Railway has confirmed the opening of third entry gates at stations to improve passenger flow.
- Holding Areas: Establishment of dedicated station 'holding areas' to manage surges.
Essential Safety Rules and Passenger Information
Railway authorities have issued strict warnings regarding the transport of hazardous materials. Passengers are strictly prohibited from carrying the following on trains:
- Firecrackers
- Petrol
- Gas cylinders
Additionally, passengers should be aware of operational changes to the Passenger Reservation System (PRS) counter timings on November 8. In the Delhi-NCR region, six specific locations—including Parliament House and the Supreme Court—will remain closed on that day.
For real-time assistance and to verify seat availability, passengers are advised to use the RailMadad platform, which now features integrated GRP assistance for improved grievance redressal.