Diwali Chhath Special Trains: Massive Festive Network Announced
To manage the heavy passenger influx during the upcoming festive season, Indian Railways has announced an extensive network of Diwali Chhath special trains for 2026. Between October 1 and November 30, 2026, the national transporter is scheduled to operate approximately 3.4 lakh regular train trips, which represents an increase of over 16,000 trips compared to the previous year.
As of October 13, 2026, authorities have already confirmed 8,454 special train trips to alleviate congestion across the country. These services aim to provide much-needed relief to passengers traveling during one of the busiest periods of the year.
Major Connectivity and Regional Focus
The special train schedule focuses on connecting major hubs with regional destinations. Significant connectivity initiatives include four pairs of special trains originating from Pune, Mumbai, and Khurda Road, serving various locations across Bihar, Eastern Uttar Pradesh, and Delhi.
Bihar will receive a massive boost in services, with over 2,500 special trips dedicated to the state. Within this, more than 600 trips will originate from the Danapur railway division, which manages critical junctions such as Patna Junction, Patliputra Junction, and Danapur. Furthermore, the East Central Railway has committed to running an additional 11 pairs of special trains to support the demand.
Premium Vande Bharat and Unreserved Services
For passengers seeking faster travel, the 16-coach Vande Bharat Puja Special Express (02252/02251) will operate between New Delhi and Patna. This service includes a scheduled five-minute stop at Kanpur Central.
Recognizing the needs of unreserved travelers, the railways will also run a clone of the 'Vaishali Express'—train numbers 04405/04406. This service will run between Manasi and Shakurbasti, consisting exclusively of general coaches for eight scheduled trips between November 5 and November 16, 2026.
Key Festive Routes at a Glance
The following routes have been established to connect major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Gujarat, Punjab, and West Bengal to various regional destinations:
- Lalkuan to: Sabarmati, Rajkot, and Kolkata
- Azamgarh to: Bandra Terminus
- Anand Vihar to: Bhagalpur
- Yesvantpur to: Saharsa
- Firozpur to: Patna
- Rani Kamalapati to: Danapur
- Chandigarh to: Barauni
- Shakurbasti to: Patna and Jhanjharpur
- Delhi to: Varanasi (via Lucknow and Ayodhya Cantt)
Note: Passengers are strongly advised to verify all travel details, including specific coach compositions and stoppage timings, via the official IRCTC portal or the NTES system before commencing their journey.