Festival Rush Alert! Indian Railways Unveils Massive Special Train Schedule for Durga Puja, Diwali & Chhath
Indian Railways is gearing up to manage the massive influx of travelers expected during the 2026 festive season. To accommodate the surge in passengers during Durga Puja, Diwali, and Chhath, the authorities have announced an extensive network of special festival train services.
Booking Window: Mark Your Calendars
Travelers planning their holiday journeys should prepare for upcoming reservation dates. Based on reports finalized on September 26, 2026, the booking schedule is as follows:
- September 27, 2026: Reservations open for the majority of the special services.
- September 28, 2026: Additional bookings will become available for remaining services.
Passengers can book their tickets through computerized reservation centers, the official IRCTC website, or via the RailOne app.
Massive Rollout Across Major Railway Zones
To ensure connectivity across the country, several railway zones are deploying a significant number of extra trips:
- Central Railway: A total of 418 special services will originate from Mumbai, with the Solapur Division contributing 102 of these trips.
- North Central Railway (NCR): Over 1,000 'Trains on Demand' (TODs) have been scheduled to operate between October 1 and November 30, 2026.
- Eastern Central Railway: Six new special trains are being