Festive Rush: Indian Railways Launches 14 Special Trains & Major Route Diversions!
To accommodate the massive influx of passengers during the upcoming festive season, including Durga Puja, Diwali, and Chhath, Indian Railways has announced a significant expansion of its services. The railway network is introducing 14 pairs of special trains and implementing several route changes to ensure smoother travel throughout October and November 2026.
New Special Trains for Festive Travel
The newly announced special trains will feature a variety of coach types, including air-conditioned, sleeper, and general coaches. These services are designed to tackle the heavy demand on key corridors.
- Bandra Terminus to Bhuj
- Mumbai Central to Bhiwani
- Bandra Terminus to Veraval
- Udhna to Ayodhya Cantt
- Mumbai Central to Mau
- Udhna to Jhanjharpur (Unreserved special)
- Udhna to Madhubani (Unreserved special)
Beyond these specific pairs, the railway administration has committed to operating over 100 special trains across the country to manage the seasonal surge.
Regional Expansion and NCR Special Trips
The North Central Railway (NCR) is taking a massive step to assist travelers. According to Dr. Shivam Sharma, Chief Public Relations Officer for NCR, the zone will operate 1,053 special train trips between October 1 and November 30, 2026.
Further connectivity enhancements include:
- Five new special trains connecting Delhi to Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar.
- 66 additional trips on existing routes connecting Telangana, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Karnataka, running through December 2026.
Crucial Route Diversions and Station Changes
Passengers should take note of certain operational changes due to ongoing infrastructure work:
Lucknow Station Construction Impact
Due to construction activities at Lucknow railway station, the Udhna-Ayodhya Cantt special trains (09093/09094 and 09097/09098) will not enter Lucknow. Instead, these trains will bypass the station and stop at Aishbagh station.
Amritsar-Jaynagar Shahid Express
As previously noted in August 2026, the 14674 Amritsar-Jaynagar Shahid Express continues to be rerouted via the Barabanki-Ayodhya Cantt-Varanasi-