Diwali & Chhath 2026: Indian Railways Announces 8,454+ Special Trains
In preparation for the massive influx of passengers during the upcoming festive season, Indian Railways has officially announced the operation of over 8,454 special train trips. This massive undertaking is designed to manage the heavy rush expected during Durga Puja, Diwali, and Chhath Puja in 2026.
This festive initiative is part of a larger operational plan that includes approximately 3.4 lakh regular train trips scheduled to run between October 1 and November 30, 2026. To further ease the burden on commuters, the railway administration has added 412 extra coaches to existing services, which includes 75 general class coaches compared to the previous year.
Regional Demand and High-Traffic Routes
The special services have been strategically distributed to cater to the highest demand areas. Based on the notification list, the following states will see the most significant number of special trips:
- Bihar: 2,057 trips
- Uttar Pradesh: 1,056 trips
- Delhi: 975 trips
- Maharashtra: 836 trips
- West Bengal: 464 trips
Vande Bharat Festival Special: New Delhi to Patna
One of the most notable additions to the festive lineup is the 16-coach Vande Bharat Festival Special (Train numbers 02252/02251), which will connect New Delhi and Patna. This premium service is aimed at providing a comfortable journey for passengers traveling between the capital and Bihar.
Service Schedule:
- From New Delhi: The service commences on October 16, 2026, with initial runs on October 16 and 18. Thereafter, it will operate every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday until November 25, 2026.
- From Patna: The return service begins on October 17, 2026, with initial runs on October 17 and 19. It will subsequently operate every Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday until November 26, 2026.
Fare Details:
Fares for the Vande Bharat Special include meals and are priced as follows:
- AC Chair Car: ₹2,575 to ₹2,600
- Executive Chair Car: ₹4,650 to ₹4,680
Other Key Festive Special Services
Beyond the Vande Bharat services, several other special trains have been notified to cover various long-distance routes:
West Central Railway Highlights
The West Central Railway is operating 12 pairs of special trains within the Bhopal Division, including:
- Rani Kamlapati–Danapur Bi-weekly Special (01667/01668): 11 trips in each direction.
- Rani Kamlapati–Rewa Weekly Puja Special (02191/02192): 4 trips.
Major Long-Distance Specials
- Pune–Gorakhpur Daily Special (01415/01416): Offering 32 trips in each direction.
- Lokmanya Tilak Terminus–Mau Special (01123/01124).
- Ajmer–Ranchi Puja Special (09619/09620).
Additionally, Central Railway has announced 418 special services. Other significant routes include connections between CSMT Mumbai and SMVT Bengaluru, Mumbai and Thiruvananthapuram, Chennai and Mangaluru, and Kanpur Central and Madurai.
Crowd Management and Booking Information
To ensure passenger safety and manage the heavy crowds at stations, authorities are establishing temporary holding areas at 15 major stations across Bihar, starting from November 3, 2026.
Passengers are encouraged to plan their journeys in advance. Tickets for all special services can be booked through the IRCTC website, the mobile app, or at railway reservation counters. For real-time updates on schedules, timings, and halts, travelers should use the official website enquiry.indianrail.gov.in or the NTES mobile application.