Diwali Chhath Puja Special Trains: Vande Bharat & New Routes
Indian Railways announces Vande Bharat specials and 6,200+ trips to manage the Diwali and Chhath Puja rush between Delhi, Patna, and Varanasi.
Indian Railways is implementing a massive operational strategy to manage the heavy passenger surge expected during the upcoming Diwali Chhath Puja special trains season. To handle the immense demand, the railway ministry has deployed a combination of increased national trip counts and targeted regional services across various zones.
Northern Railway Boosts Capacity by 30 Percent
While some divisions are scaling back, the Northern Railway is significantly ramping up its festive offerings. Chief Public Relations Officer Himanshu Shekhar Upadhyay confirmed that the zone plans to operate over 6,200 special train trips. This marks a substantial 30 percent increase compared to the 4,666 trips provided during the same period last year.
This expanded schedule includes:
- 42 newly regularized trains, which will account for approximately 2,600 trips.
- 3,600 additional trips that were previously announced.
- Key routes connecting major hubs like Delhi, Patna, Varanasi, and Katra.
Agra Division Adjusts Special Train Count
In contrast to the Northern Railway's expansion, the Agra Rail Division has announced a more conservative approach for this season. The division will operate 42 special trains, which is a notable reduction from the 70 special trains managed during the same period last year. Sanjay Kumar Gautam, Public Relations Officer for the Agra Division, stated that these trains are specifically deployed to manage holiday demand, adding that the division remains open to running additional services if passenger requirements dictate.
Vande Bharat Specials to Ease Patna-Delhi Congestion
To specifically address the intense congestion on the Patna to New Delhi corridor, Indian Railways has introduced premium Vande Bharat festival special trains. These services are designed to provide faster connectivity for travelers during the peak festive period.
Train Schedule and Routes
The dedicated Vande Bharat services will operate according to the following schedule:
- Train No. 02253 (Patna to New Delhi): Scheduled to run on Saturdays, Mondays, and Wednesdays from October 24 to November 28, 2026. It departs Patna at 10:00 AM and reaches New Delhi at 11:30 PM.
- Train No. 02254 (New Delhi to Patna): Operating from October 22 to November 26, 2026. It departs New Delhi at 8:35 AM and reaches Patna at 9:30 PM.
A second pair of Vande Bharat services will also run on alternating days. These services will provide connectivity with scheduled stops at Ara, Buxar, Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction, Prayagraj Junction, Kanpur Central, and Aligarh Junction.
Widespread Connectivity and Passenger Challenges
Beyond the northern routes, Indian Railways has introduced 11 pairs of Puja special trains to connect various major hubs to Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. These services originate from hubs including Bengaluru, Hubballi, Nagpur, Udhna, Amritsar, Delhi, Gorakhpur, and Tata.
Despite these massive logistical efforts, the festive season remains a challenge for many commuters. Passengers continue to report significant difficulties in securing confirmed tickets, with long waiting lists and "no-vacancy" scenarios prevalent on major routes out of Delhi, leaving many travelers facing uncertainty ahead of the festivals.