Diwali & Chhath Special Trains: New Routes for Festive Rush
Indian Railways announces special trains for Diwali and Chhath Puja, including Kerala-Delhi and Durg-Nizamuddin services to ease festive travel.
To accommodate the massive surge in passenger traffic during the upcoming Diwali and Chhath Puja festive season, Indian Railways has announced a wide array of special train services. These additions are designed to ease the travel burden on commuters and provide much-needed connectivity across various long-distance routes.
Major Connectivity: Kerala to Delhi Special Services
A key highlight of this festive announcement is the introduction of critical services connecting Kerala to the national capital. These trains will serve as a lifeline for passengers traveling between the southern states and Northern India.
- Train 06073 (Kochuveli to Hazrat Nizamuddin): This service is scheduled to depart on November 2, 9, and 16, 2026, at 2:00 PM. It will provide essential connectivity for passengers in Gwalior and Jhansi, reaching Gwalior at 4:35 PM on its third day of travel.
- Train 06074 (Hazrat Nizamuddin to Thiruvananthapuram North Special): The return journey will depart from Hazrat Nizamuddin on November 5, 12, and 19, 2026, at 5:45 AM.
These special services will feature multiple important stoppages, including Kollam, Kottayam, Ernakulam Town, Thrissur, Palakkad, Tiruppur, Erode, Salem, Katpadi, Renigunta, Vijayawada, Khammam, Nagpur, Itarsi, Rani Kamalapati, Virangana Lakshmibai Jhansi, Agra Cantt, and Mathura.
Northern Railway Scales Up Operations
Northern Railway is taking significant steps to manage the seasonal rush. The railway has planned over 6,200 special train trips this season, marking a 30% increase compared to the 4,666 trips provided during the same period last year.
To help alleviate the heavy waiting lists that typically occur during festivals, the authorities have also introduced unreserved special trains. These will allow passengers to travel using general tickets, providing more flexibility for short-notice travelers.
Additional Festive Special Trains
Several other routes have been prioritized to ensure smooth movement of passengers across the country:
- Durg-Nizamuddin Puja Special: Operated by the South East Central Railway (SECR), Train 08751 will depart from Durg on November 1, 8, and 15. The return service, Train 08752, will depart from Hazrat Nizamuddin on November 2, 9, and 16.
- Pune-Danapur-Hadapsar Services: Special services (Train numbers 01441 and 01442) will operate between these locations from November 1 through November 15.
Important Schedule Adjustments
Passengers should take note of changes to existing schedules. For instance, the Humsafar Express (Train number 2438) running from Anand Vihar to Prayagraj has been rescheduled. It will now depart at 11:15 PM instead of its previous time of 10:35 PM.
Passengers are strongly urged to verify all updated schedules and timings via the NTES app or by calling the Railway Helpline number 139 before planning their journeys.