Indian Railways Launches Diwali and Chhath Puja Special Trains
Indian Railways launches thousands of special trains for Diwali and Chhath Puja 2026 to manage the heavy festive rush across major routes.
To accommodate the massive surge in passenger demand during the upcoming festive season, Indian Railways has announced a significant number of Diwali and Chhath Puja special trains for 2026. These additional services are designed to provide seamless travel for millions of passengers heading home to celebrate with their families.
Northern Railway Boosts Festive Capacity by 30%
The Northern Railway is leading the charge with a massive operational ramp-up, planning over 6,200 special train trips. This marks a substantial 30% increase in services compared to the previous year. The initiative specifically targets high-demand routes connecting the Delhi-NCR region to major destinations in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Punjab, and West Bengal.
New Special Services and Schedule Updates
Several new train services have been introduced to ease the holiday rush:
- Khatipura-Kamakhya Special (09711): This 20-coach service operates every Thursday from October 29 through November 26, 2026.
- Khatipura-Kamakhya Return (09712): The return leg will run on Saturdays from October 31 to November 28, 2026.
- Ludhiana Specials: Five special festival trains will connect Ludhiana to Saharsa, Darbhanga, Gaya, and Kolkata.
- Unreserved Services: New unreserved special trains have been introduced between Hazrat Nizamuddin and Veerangana Laxmibai Jhansi, as well as between Sirhind and Saharsa.
Additionally, passengers should note a timing revision for the Anand Vihar-Prayagraj Humsafar Express (22438). Effective October 29, the train will now depart at 11:15 pm instead of the earlier 10:35 pm schedule.
Regional Special Trains and Extra Coaches
Railways across different zones are also stepping up to meet the festive demand:
- Western Railway: Has introduced special services connecting Udhna and Surat to Madhubani.
- South Central Railway: Is operating over 700 special trains to manage the passenger load.
- Ranchi Rail Division: Has added three puja special trains serving Gorakhpur, Banaras, and Jaynagar.
To tackle congestion in premium classes, extra AC coaches have been added to 10 special trains serving key routes including Anand Vihar, New Delhi, Varanasi, Patna, Muzaffarpur, Barauni, and Amritsar.
Enhanced Security and Passenger Facilities
Major stations are being prepared with enhanced security measures, digital information boards, and dedicated assistance counters. In the South Central Railway zone, facilities have been specifically upgraded with extra ticket counters, Automatic Ticket Vending Machines (ATVMs), and dedicated female staff to assist women travelers.
Passengers are strongly advised to verify all schedules, dates, and stoppages via the official IRCTC website or mobile application prior to their journey.