10 New Clone Trains Proposed for Diwali & Chhath Rush
Indian Railways is gearing up for one of the busiest travel periods of the year. To manage the massive influx of passengers traveling between Delhi, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh for the 2026 Diwali and Chhath Puja festivities, a major proposal has been submitted to operate 10 clone trains from New Delhi.
Mirroring High-Demand Routes
The proposed clone trains are designed to alleviate congestion by following the exact routes and timings of some of the most popular existing services. These "clone" services will mirror the schedules of several high-demand trains, including:
- Sampoorna Kranti
- Shiv Ganga
- Mahabodhi Express
- Bihar Sampark Kranti
- Vaishali Express
- Poorva Express
- Prayagraj Express
- Lucknow Mail
Nationwide Festive Surge: 6,000 Special Trains
The festive management isn't limited to just these clone services. Indian Railways is planning a massive nationwide operation, aiming to run over 6,000 special trains between October and November 2026, with some services extending into December.
Various railway zones have already begun their preparations:
- Northern Railway: Has already initiated nine festival special trains as of October 1, 2026.
- East Central Railway: Has introduced six services across three different routes.
- Central Railway: Has significantly boosted its capacity with 162 new special trains, bringing its total approved festival services to 580.
Delhi-Patna Vande Bharat Special
In a bid to provide faster connectivity, a proposed Delhi-Patna Vande Bharat special train is under consideration. This service is expected to cover the 994 km distance in approximately 13 hours. Pending approval from the Railway Board, the estimated fare structure for this service is as follows:
- AC Chair Car: ₹2,575 to ₹2,600
- Executive Chair Car: ₹4,650 to ₹4,680
How to Book Your Festive Travel
For passengers planning their journey, bookings for Central Railway's special services opened on September 28, 2026. Travelers can secure their seats via the IRCTC platform or the RailOne App.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary have both acknowledged the extensive logistical arrangements being made to ensure millions of passengers can return home safely and comfortably for the festivities.