Diwali & Chhath Puja 2026: Indian Railways to Run 8,454 Special Trains
Indian Railways has announced a massive operation to handle the expected surge in passenger traffic during the upcoming 2026 festive season. To accommodate the heavy rush during Diwali and Chhath Puja, the railway administration has notified a staggering 8,454 special train trips throughout October and November 2026.
Managing the Festive Surge in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh
The festive demand is expected to be most intense in certain regions, with Bihar leading the requirements. Statistics show that Bihar has 2,057 notified trips to cater to its passengers. Following closely is Uttar Pradesh with 1,056 trips, while Delhi has 975 trips scheduled to manage the movement of commuters.
These special services are designed to provide much-needed relief to travelers heading toward Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, and other neighboring states. To ensure a smooth operation, multiple railway zones are collaborating on this initiative, including the Northern, Eastern, Southern, and Central Railways.
Confirmed Routes and Service Details
While there have been circulating reports regarding a potential special service connecting Khatipura, Rajasthan, to Kolkata, official records as of October 17, 2026, do not explicitly confirm this specific route. However, several other key connections have been officially confirmed to assist travelers:
- Kanpur Central to SMVT Bengaluru
- Anand Vihar Terminal to Bhagalpur
- Yog Nagari Rishikesh to Kolkata
- Howrah to Lumding
To cater to a diverse range of passengers, these special trains will be equipped with various coach classes, including AC 2-tier, AC 3-tier, Sleeper, and General compartments.
How to Book Your Festive Tickets
Passengers planning to travel during the Diwali and Chhath Puja period are encouraged to plan ahead. Booking facilities for these festive special services are available through the following channels:
- The official IRCTC website
- The IRCTC mobile application
- Authorized railway station reservation counters