Diwali & Chhath 2026: Special Trains & Fare Cuts Announced
Indian Railways announces special trains for Diwali and Chhath 2026 and reclassifies key Express services to reduce ticket fares.
To manage the massive surge in passenger numbers during the Diwali and Chhath festivals in 2026, Indian Railways has rolled out a comprehensive plan featuring several special train services. This initiative aims to ease travel for millions of passengers heading home to West Bengal and Bihar.
Eastern Railway Unveils Festival Specials
The Eastern Railway has introduced five pairs of unreserved special trains to connect West Bengal with major hubs in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. Key routes include:
- Howrah to Patna: Trains 03033/03034 and 03035/03036
- Howrah to Muzaffarpur: Trains 03039/03040
- Sealdah to Jaynagar: Trains 03137/03138
- Sealdah to Ballia: Trains 03139/03140
- Kolkata to Gorakhpur: Trains 03141/03142
Enhanced Long-Distance Connectivity
Beyond the unreserved specials, the railway network is being bolstered with long-distance special services. Passengers traveling between major cities can look forward to:
- New Delhi to Howrah Special: Trains 04054/04053
- Anand Vihar to Sabour Special: Trains 04066/04065
Other notable special routes include Howrah-Gorakhpur, Howrah-Bettiah, Howrah-New Delhi, Shalimar-Darbhanga, Tatanagar-Labha, and Ranchi-Purnia Court.
Fare Reductions: Superfast Status Reclassified
In a significant move affecting passenger wallets, Indian Railways has announced a reclassification of certain services effective January 1, 2027. The Dhanbad-Howrah Black Diamond Express and the Ranchi-Patna Jan Shatabdi Express will no longer carry the 'Superfast' tag.
By transitioning to the standard 'Express' category, these trains will see the removal of the 'Superfast' surcharge. This change will result in lower ticket fares for commuters. Please note that these reclassified services will also be assigned new train numbers.
Stay Updated
Passengers are advised to verify all updated schedules, train numbers, and service changes through the official IRCTC website or the NTES mobile application before planning their journeys.