Eastern Railway Proposes New Festival Specials to Delhi
Eastern Railway proposes new special trains from Malda Town and Bhagalpur to Delhi to handle the Diwali and Chhath Puja passenger rush.
To manage the massive influx of passengers during the upcoming festive season, Eastern Railway has proposed the introduction of new festival special train services. These services are specifically designed to connect travelers from Bengal and Bihar to Delhi, ensuring smoother journeys during the peak periods of Diwali and Chhath Puja.
New Proposed Routes and Train Numbers
The new proposals focus on high-demand corridors to alleviate the pressure on existing services. The key proposed services include:
- Malda Town–Shakur Basti Festival Special: Operating under train numbers 03439 and 03440.
- Bhagalpur–Patna Festival Special: Operating under train numbers 03431 and 03432.
According to the proposal, these services are expected to pass through several vital stations, including Bhagalpur, Patna, Prayagraj, and Kanpur, before reaching their final destination at Shakur Basti in Delhi. This connectivity is intended to provide significant relief for commuters traveling from the eastern regions toward the national capital.
Massive Surge in Special Train Operations
Indian Railways is gearing up for a massive operation this year to accommodate the holiday rush. Between October 1 and November 30, 2026, a staggering total of 8,454 special train trips are planned across the entire railway network.
Bihar remains a primary focus for these festive measures, having been allocated 2,057 special train trips to manage the heavy passenger influx expected during the holidays.
Existing Festive Services and Operational Updates
These new proposals complement a broader suite of existing festive measures already in motion. For example, the Malda Town–Anand Vihar Terminal special (03435/03436) is already scheduled to run through November 30, 2026.
Additionally, the railway network has seen other significant updates to improve connectivity and efficiency:
- New Vande Bharat Service: A second special Vande Bharat service has recently been introduced, connecting New Delhi and Patna.
- Timetable Adjustments: Northern Railway has adjusted the arrival times of several major long-distance services, including the Tejas Rajdhani Express, Sampoorna Kranti Express, and Vikramshila Express. These changes are designed to optimize operations at major hubs like Delhi and Anand Vihar stations during the festive surge.