137 Extra Coaches Added to 47 Trains for Diwali & Chhath
Indian Railways to deploy 137 extra coaches across 47 long-distance trains to manage the Diwali and Chhath Puja passenger surge.
Indian Railways has announced a major capacity boost to accommodate the massive surge in passenger traffic expected during the Diwali and Chhath Puja festivals. To help travelers secure confirmed tickets, the railway administration is deploying 137 additional coaches across 47 pairs of long-distance trains.
Boosting Capacity for the Festive Rush
The deployment of these extra coaches is set to take place primarily throughout November. Depending on the specific rail services, these additional coaches will be operational between November 1 and November 30, with some services extending into early December to facilitate post-festival travel.
Amit Sudarshan, the Chief Public Relations Officer of North Western Railway, stated that the decision to augment capacity in air-conditioned, sleeper, and general class coaches was made in response to significant passenger demand and observed ridership trends. This move is intended to ease the pressure on existing services during one of the busiest travel periods of the year.
New Vande Bharat and Special Regional Services
In a major update for commuters on the Delhi-Bihar corridor, a new 16-coach Vande Bharat Tejas festival special train has been introduced. This high-speed service aims to provide faster and more comfortable travel for those heading home for the festivities.
Other significant regional adjustments include:
- Khatipura (Jaipur) to Kolkata: A special service has been scheduled to assist passengers traveling across Rajasthan, Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal.
- General Coach Additions: To help reduce overcrowding, extra general coaches will be added to the Madar-Rewari, Rewari-Phulera, and Hisar-Jaipur routes.
Massive Scale of Festive Operations
The scale of operations for the upcoming festive season is immense. Indian Railways has planned approximately 3.4 million regular train trips between October 1 and November 30, 2026. Furthermore, as of October 13, a total of 8,454 special train trips had already been notified to manage the holiday influx.
To ensure a smooth journey, passengers are advised to verify the latest status of their trains via the official website, the National Train Enquiry System (NTES), or the railway helpline before commencing their travels.