Diwali & Chhath Puja 2026: Indian Railways Launches 580 Special Trains
Indian Railways has unveiled a massive schedule of special train services to accommodate the expected surge in passenger traffic during the 2026 Diwali and Chhath Puja festive season. With Chhath Puja festivities set to take place from November 12 to November 15, 2026, the railway network is undergoing a nationwide operational expansion to ensure seamless connectivity between major cities and key regions like Bihar.
Massive Deployment of Festive Special Trains
To manage the heavy holiday rush, multiple railway zones are coordinating a large-scale operational expansion. Central Railway has significantly boosted capacity by announcing 162 new special trains, bringing the total number of approved festive services to 580, operating between October 9 and November 22, 2026.
In addition, Northern Railway has implemented its own festive plan, running 23 pairs of special trains. This results in a total of 46 festival special trains making 552 trips across various states, including:
- Delhi and Punjab
- Mumbai and Gujarat
- Bihar and Uttar Pradesh
- Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh
- Jammu & Kashmir
Key Routes and Connectivity Highlights
The special train network is designed to serve several high-demand corridors to ease the travel burden on passengers. Some of the notable services include:
- Tata-Buxar Special: Commencing operations on October 13, this service passes through Tatanagar (Jamshedpur) to cater to passengers traveling to Bihar, Odisha, West Bengal, and Chhattisgarh.
- Rishikesh-Kolkata Route: Active from October 16 to November 20, these trains serve major stops such as Haridwar, Moradabad, and Bareilly.
- Patna-Bound Services: Special connectivity is provided via routes like Chandigarh-Patna and Firozpur Cantt-Patna, with Buxar serving as a key designated stop.
- Muzaffarpur Connectivity: Dedicated services have been announced from Chheharta-Amritsar and Hubli to reach Muzaffarpur.
Important Booking Rules and Surcharges
Passengers booking these '0-series' special trains should be aware of specific operational guidelines and pricing structures. Unlike regular trains, these festive services operate with a mandatory surcharge:
- Second Class: Approximately 10% surcharge.
- Sleeper and AC Classes: Approximately 30% surcharge.
It is important to note that no concessions are permitted on these special services. However, passengers traveling in AC classes (1AC, 2AC, 3A, and 3E) will be provided with bedrolls and linen.
Pro-Tips for Successful Booking
Due to the extremely high demand during the festive season, officials recommend the following for a smooth booking experience on the IRCTC portal:
- Log in to the IRCTC portal promptly at 7:55 AM IST.
- Use pre-saved passenger master lists to save time during the rush.
- Ensure you have digital payment methods ready for quick transactions.
While regular advance reservations for a 60-day window opened in mid-September 2026, additional special trains are typically announced 10 to 30 days prior to their scheduled departure.