Festive Travel Boost: 13 Special Train Pairs for Diwali & Chhath Puja!
To manage the massive influx of passengers expected during the upcoming festive season, Indian Railways has announced the introduction of 13 pairs of special trains. These services, which will provide a total of 282 additional trips, are specifically designed to handle the surge in travel for Diwali and Chhath Puja.
Key Routes and Operational Timelines
The festive travel initiative is scheduled to span from October 1 to November 30, 2026. Several specific routes have been highlighted to assist commuters:
- Banda Terminus – Veerangana Lakshmibai Jhansi (02200/02199): These services will operate until November 28 and November 26, 2026, respectively.
- Dadar – Prayagraj (04140/04139): These trains are scheduled to run through November 29 and November 27, 2026.
Massive National Rollout: 12,000 Special Trains
The scale of the festive operation is immense. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has stated that a national total of 12,000 special trains will be operated during this period, with notifications for nearly 10,000 already issued. To accommodate sudden spikes in passenger movement, 150 of these trains will be operated as fully