Indian Railways Launches Direct Festival Trains Across Six States for Holiday Season
Indian Railways is operating a series of direct train services between September 11 and December 7, 2026, to facilitate smooth travel across Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka during the upcoming festival season, which includes Durga Puja, Diwali, and Chhath. These direct services are designed to eliminate the need for passengers, particularly children, senior citizens, and those with heavy luggage, to change trains or wait for connecting services at busy hubs like Jhansi or Bhopal.
- Operational Schedule: Train number 04135 Subedarganj-Yesvantpur special runs every Friday from September 11 to December 4, 2026, while the return service 04136 Yesvantpur-Subedarganj operates every Monday from September 14 to December 7, 2026.
- Coach Composition: These 19-coach trains feature nine sleeper, two AC three-tier, six general, and two SLR-D coaches.
- Maintenance Stops: Scheduled stops for cleaning and watering are arranged at Jabalpur, Itarsi, Nagpur, Ballarshah, Secunderabad, and Guntakal.
- Broader Festive Operations: Indian Railways has planned roughly 432 special train trips, including 112 special trains for Onam and special services for Krishna Janmashtami. Central Railway has also announced 262 special trains for Ganesh Utsav starting September 9, and four daily special trains between Barauni-New Delhi and Darbhanga-New Delhi are extended until November 30 or December 1, 2026.
- Route Disruptions: Services in the North Central and North Western zones will face disruptions, including 16 cancellations and 48 diversions between September and October 15, 2026, due to infrastructure and technical works.
- IRCTC Updates: Aadhaar-authenticated users enjoy a booking window from 8:00 AM to 12:00 AM, photo identification is mandatory for general tickets booked via the railway app, WhatsApp screenshots are invalid, and the 3% bonus scheme for app-based general ticket bookings is extended until August 24, 2028.
Detailed Festival Special Services and Operational Planning
The South Western Railway issued the notification for the Subedarganj-Yesvantpur service on August 29, 2026, following a request from the North Central Railway. This meticulous planning aims to handle the heavy rush during major festivals such as Durga Puja, Diwali, and Chhath. By introducing these direct routes, Indian Railways significantly reduces travel hassle for passengers moving across six major states, cutting down transit times and avoiding crowded interchange stations.
Infrastructure Works and IRCTC Rule Reminders
While special trains bring relief, passengers must note that infrastructure and technical works will cause temporary disruptions, resulting in 16 cancellations and 48 diversions across the North Central and North Western zones through October 15, 2026. Additionally, travelers should keep updated with current IRCTC norms: general tickets booked via the railway app strictly require photo identification since July 15, 2026, and digital WhatsApp screenshots are not accepted by ticket checkers. Aadhaar-authenticated users continue to benefit from extended booking hours, and the 3% bonus scheme on app-based general bookings remains active to encourage digital ticketing.