Indian Railways has unveiled a comprehensive travel plan for the Kanwar Mela 2026 to assist the millions of pilgrims expected to travel to Haridwar. The pilgrimage is scheduled to take place from July 30 to August 11, 2026, with the final Jalabhishek ceremony set for August 11. To manage the massive influx of devotees, the national transporter is launching five dedicated special trains and extending the routes of key regular services to ensure seamless connectivity.
Key highlights of the Kanwar Mela 2026 railway arrangements include:
- Five dedicated special trains to be operated during the Mela period.
- Extension of 74022/74023 Delhi-Shamli-Delhi DEMU and 64557/64558 Delhi-Saharanpur MEMU services up to Haridwar.
- Introduction of the 04314 Haridwar-Delhi Shahdara Kanwar Mela Special running daily from July 30 to August 13.
- New special services connecting Yog Nagari Rishikesh to Delhi Shahdara and Alamnagar.
- Temporary two-minute halts introduced at Raywala, Motichur, Jwalapur, and Kankather stations for major express trains.
- Addition of two temporary general coaches to eight major trains to handle the rush.
Expanded Services and Connectivity
The Delhi-Shamli DEMU extension will operate daily from Delhi from July 30 to August 13 and from Haridwar between July 31 and August 14. These measures are part of a broader effort to ensure that pilgrims can reach their destination comfortably. Beyond the new specials, the railways are prioritizing accessibility by providing temporary halts for key services, including the 19565/19566 Okha-Dehradun Weekly Express and the 14815/14816 Sriganganagar-Rishikesh Daily Express, from July 30 to August 13.
Strategic Management for Pilgrim Comfort
Railway officials have emphasized that these arrangements are highly flexible. Senior DCM Mahesh Yadav confirmed that the administration is ready to attach additional coaches to regular trains if passenger demand surges. Amit Sudarshan, CPRO for North Western Railway, highlighted that the temporary halts at stations like Motichur and Jwalapur will significantly benefit both Kanwar pilgrims and local residents. With these infrastructure adjustments and the deployment of extra rolling stock, Indian Railways aims to maintain smooth operations and passenger safety throughout the duration of the 2026 Kanwar Mela.