Indian Railways Unveils Mega Plan for Diwali and Chhath Festivals
Indian Railways announces 8,454 special train trips and new crowd management measures for Diwali and Chhath Puja 2026.
Indian Railways has announced a massive operational strategy to manage the expected surge in passenger traffic during the upcoming Diwali and Chhath Puja festivities. To ensure smooth travel for millions, the railway administration has scheduled a total of 8,454 special train trips as of October 13, 2026.
The seasonal festival plan includes over 6,200 additional trips. This consists of 3,600 dedicated special train services and approximately 2,600 trips created by regularizing 42 existing services. This represents a significant 30% increase in special train capacity compared to the previous year. Between October 1 and November 30, 2026, the railways expect to facilitate approximately 3.4 million regular train journeys.
New Trains and Increased Frequency
To accommodate the heavy demand, five new trains are set to launch on October 31, 2026. These services will connect major hubs including Varanasi, New Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Kanpur, Anand Vihar, Bhuj, and Barauni.
In the Western Railway zone, the Ratlam division is boosting service frequency for the Indore-Mumbai Central Special (09080/09079). Starting November 5, 2026, this service will run three days a week, up from its current twice-weekly schedule. Additionally, seven passenger trains will be equipped with extra general class coaches to handle the holiday rush.
Advanced Crowd Management and Tech Integration
Indian Railways is turning to technology to maintain order at busy stations. Crowd control measures will now include the implementation of Facial Recognition Systems (FRS) and continuous live monitoring through dedicated war rooms.
A key part of the passenger experience involves the establishment of 'Yatri Suvidha Kendras' at major stations. A model facility is already operational at Anand Vihar Terminal, providing passengers with 14 ticket counters, 16 CCTV cameras, four electronic display boards, and seating for 20 people, along with separate washrooms and RO drinking water.
Platform Changes in Raipur Division
For passengers traveling through the South East Central Railway’s Raipur division, important platform changes have been made to prevent congestion. Between November 4 and November 14, 2026, the departure platforms for the following three trains will shift from Platform 4 to Platform 7:
- 15160 Durg-Chhapra Sarnath Express
- 15232 Gondia-Barauni Express
- 13287 Durg-Ara South Bihar Express
Strict Safety Protocols and Prohibited Items
Safety remains a top priority following a recent power bank explosion incident. Consequently, effective October 26, 2026, a strict ban on charging electronic devices in train coaches will be in place between 11:00 PM and 5:00 AM.
Railways have also issued a reminder that the carriage of the following items is strictly prohibited:
- Firecrackers
- Gas cylinders
- Petrol and Diesel
- Other highly flammable materials
Pantry and Booking Information
IRCTC’s North Zone has issued formal warnings to pantry contractors to prevent the overcharging of passengers, mandating that all transactions must accept digital payments.
Furthermore, passengers in the Delhi-NCR region should note that Northern Railway has modified the operating hours for Passenger Reservation System (PRS) counters for November 8. Some locations will close early, and six specific offices will remain closed for the day.