Chhath Puja Rush: Indian Railways to Run 18,000 Special Trains
Indian Railways announces 18,000 special trains for Chhath Puja, including Vande Bharat specials to manage the massive festive passenger rush.
To accommodate the massive influx of passengers during the upcoming Chhath Puja festival, Indian Railways has announced a massive operation of 18,000 special trains across the country. This large-scale initiative is designed to ensure that devotees can travel home comfortably and conveniently during this significant festive period.
Major Routes and Special AC Services
The special train services will cover critical routes that see the highest demand, including Delhi-Patna, Mumbai-Danapur, and Mumbai-Raxaul. One of the highlighted services is the 02309/02310 AC special train, which will operate between Rajendra Nagar Terminal and New Delhi from November 11 to November 20.
Vande Bharat Festival Specials for Patna
In a major boost to festive travel, Vande Bharat festival special trains have been deployed on the New Delhi to Patna route. To manage the heavy passenger load, these trains will feature increased coach capacity. These special services will make stops at several major stations, including:
- Kanpur
- Prayagraj
- Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction
- Buxar
- Ara
Enhanced Connectivity Across Railway Zones
Various railway zones, including the East Central Railway (ECR), Northern Railway, and South Central Railway, are actively participating in this massive deployment. These zones are providing enhanced connectivity between cities like Chandigarh, Purnia, and Hyderabad to various districts in Bihar, such as Muzaffarpur, Darbhanga, Gaya, and Saharsa.
Saraswati Chandra, Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) of the East Central Railway, confirmed that railway zones are operating hundreds of pairs of special trains from their respective stations to meet the festive demand.
High-Tech Safety and Crowd Management
To ensure passenger safety and efficient crowd management during the festival, the Railway Board has implemented advanced technology. 700 AI-enabled cameras have been installed at major stations to monitor movement. Furthermore, operations are being monitored 24/7 at 28 large stations through a dedicated Railway War Room.
Traveler Advisory
Passengers are encouraged to verify real-time train schedules and check ticket availability through the official IRCTC website or mobile app. For immediate assistance and inquiries, travelers can also dial the railway inquiry service at 139.