Gondia-Patna Puja Special: Passengers Demand Itwari Extension
SECR runs Gondia-Patna Puja Special for Diwali. Passengers urge extension to Itwari for better Vidarbha connectivity.
The South East Central Railway (SECR) has announced the operation of the Gondia-Patna Puja Special to manage the massive surge in passenger traffic during the upcoming Diwali and Chhath Puja festivals. While the service is intended to ease the festive rush, a growing number of commuters are calling for the train to be extended to Itwari (Nagpur) to provide better connectivity for the Vidarbha region.
The Push for Vidarbha Connectivity
Currently, the special service originates from Gondia, which means residents in the surrounding Vidarbha areas must travel additional distances to board the train. Public demand is mounting for the railway authorities to extend the service to Itwari, a move that would offer direct access to a much larger number of passengers traveling between Maharashtra and Bihar during the holiday season.
Train Schedule and Operational Details
The special service will consist of 20 coaches and is set to complete three trips in each direction. The detailed schedule for the 08895 and 08896 services is as follows:
- 08895 Gondia-Patna Special: This train will operate every Friday from November 6 to November 20, 2026.
- 08896 Patna-Gondia Special: The return service will run every Saturday from November 7 to November 21, 2026.
Route and Major Stoppages
The train is scheduled to serve several important stations across various divisions, providing relief to travelers on the following route:
- Gondia, Dongargarh, Rajnandgaon, Durg, Raipur, Bhatapara, Bilaspur, Champa, and Raigarh
- Jharsuguda, Rourkela, Hatia, Ranchi, Muri, Bokaro Steel City, and Dhanbad
- Jasidih, Jhajha, Jamui, Kiul, and Rajendra Nagar Terminal
Railway authorities have advised all passengers to verify the updated timetable and the complete list of stoppages through the National Train Enquiry System (NTES), the RailVan app, or the official Indian Railways website before planning their journeys.