Diwali Special Trains: New Vande Bharat & 8,454 Extra Trips
To accommodate the massive surge in passenger traffic during the upcoming festive season, Indian Railways has announced a major expansion of its Diwali special trains and services. The national carrier has officially confirmed the addition of 412 extra coaches to existing trains to enhance passenger capacity for the Diwali and Chhath Puja festivities.
Massive Scale of Special Train Operations
To ensure smooth travel for millions of commuters, the railways have notified a staggering 8,454 special train trips scheduled to operate between October 1 and November 30, 2026. This massive undertaking is in addition to the approximately 3.4 lakh regular train trips already in operation.
To further ease the festive rush, 412 extra coaches—which include 75 General Class carriages—will be attached to existing services to increase overall capacity.
High-Demand Regions Get Priority
The special train schedule is heavily focused on states expecting the highest passenger movement. The breakdown of special trips across key regions is as follows:
- Bihar: 2,057 trips
- Uttar Pradesh: 1,056 trips
- Delhi: 975 trips
- Maharashtra: 836 trips
- West Bengal: 464 trips
New Vande Bharat Festival Special: Delhi to Patna
A major highlight for travelers is the introduction of a new tri-weekly Vande Bharat Express festival special. This premium service will operate between New Delhi and Patna Junction from October 21 to November 26.
The service will feature 16 chair-car coaches and will make six scheduled station stops. To assist travelers even earlier in the season, two additional trips have been scheduled for October 16 and October 18.
Important Information for Passengers
As the festive season approaches, passengers should keep the following details in mind for a more comfortable journey:
Food and Catering Services
Passengers traveling on '0-series' special trains should be aware that these specific services may not feature operational pantry cars. Travelers are encouraged to utilize IRCTC e-catering services or purchase food from authorized station vendors.
Bedrolls and Extra Rakes
While bedrolls are included in the fare for AC coaches on these special trains, Zonal Railways—including Northern, East Central, and Western Railways—may deploy additional spare rakes on short notice between November 10 and November 14 based on real-time demand.
Upgraded Ticketing System
To make the booking process more efficient, IRCTC has upgraded its Next Generation e-Ticketing (NGeT) system. The upgrade incorporates new servers, an updated user interface, and advanced anti-bot technology to ensure a smoother experience during high-traffic periods.