15,000 Special Trains for Diwali and Chhath Puja Rush
Indian Railways ramps up to 15,000 services for Diwali and Chhath Puja, adding Vande Bharat specials and strict crowd control in Delhi-NCR.
In a massive operational surge to accommodate the festive rush, Indian Railways has announced the deployment of 15,000 train services for the upcoming Diwali and Chhath Puja celebrations. Under the leadership of Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, the national transporter is significantly increasing its capacity from the standard 12,000 services to ensure smooth travel for millions of passengers.
Connecting Major Cities to Bihar
The primary objective of this massive deployment is to manage the heavy passenger surge towards Bihar. To facilitate this, more than 100 pairs of special trains have been introduced, linking major urban hubs such as Delhi, Punjab, Mumbai, Pune, Gujarat, and South India directly to Bihar and its surrounding regions.
Among the premium offerings are several Vande Bharat Express services. These include the well-established route connecting Patna and New Delhi, as well as a newly sanctioned service between Sitamarhi and Ayodhya. To ensure seamless movement on the ground, the East Central Railway (ECR) is working closely with the Bihar state government to manage the high volume of traffic.
Strict Crowd Control in Delhi-NCR
To prevent overcrowding at major transit hubs, the Northern Railway has implemented strict measures in the Delhi-NCR region. The sale of platform tickets has been suspended at six key stations through November 14, 2026. These stations include:
- New Delhi
- Old Delhi
- Hazrat Nizamuddin
- Anand Vihar Terminal
- Anand Vihar Halt
- Ghaziabad
During this period, access to platforms is strictly restricted to passengers holding confirmed tickets. However, certain exemptions have been made for vulnerable groups, including the elderly, women, persons with disabilities, and their authorized attendants.
Unreserved Services and Future Planning
For passengers seeking more flexibility, the Eastern Railway has initiated several unreserved special trains. These allow travelers to purchase tickets directly at station counters, providing an alternative for those not traveling with pre-booked reservations.
Looking further ahead, the railways have already begun planning for future large-scale events. Additional services are scheduled to run between January 9 and January 16, 2027, to support pilgrims traveling for the 360th Prakash Parv at Patna Sahib.