18,000 Special Trains: Indian Railways' Plan for Diwali & Chhath
Indian Railways is running 18,000 special trains for Diwali and Chhath Puja. Check new entry rules and platform ticket restrictions at Delhi stations.
Indian Railways is gearing up for a massive influx of passengers during the upcoming Diwali and Chhath Puja festivities. To manage the record-breaking crowds, the national transporter has announced a significant expansion in train services and the implementation of strict new passenger protocols.
Massive Surge in Special Train Services
According to Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, the national transporter is operating approximately 18,000 special train services this season. This marks a substantial increase from the 12,000 services provided during the same period last year.
- Northern Railway Expansion: The zone alone is running over 6,200 festive special trips, representing a 30% increase in capacity compared to the previous year.
- High-Demand Routes: These extra services are primarily focused on routes serving Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Jharkhand to accommodate travelers heading home.
New Entry Rules at New Delhi and Anand Vihar
To mitigate overcrowding at major hubs, officials have established dedicated holding areas, known as 'Yatri Suvidha Kendras,' at major stations like New Delhi and Anand Vihar Terminal. Furthermore, New Delhi railway station has introduced a new color-coded entry system to streamline passenger movement:
- Blue-coded Gates (8 and 11): Designated for sleeper and AC class passengers traveling to platforms 1 through 15.
- Green-coded Gate (10): Reserved specifically for access to platform 16.
Northern Railway CPRO Himanshu Shekhar Upadhyay stated that these protocols, including a 'one-by-one' boarding policy, are essential for maintaining order and safety on the platforms.
Strict Restrictions on Platform Tickets and Parcels
In a major move to control station congestion, platform ticket sales will be suspended at several key Delhi stations from November 3 to November 14, 2026. The affected stations include:
- New Delhi
- Delhi Junction
- Hazrat Nizamuddin
- Ghaziabad
- Anand Vihar Terminal and Anand Vihar Halt
Note: Exceptions to this rule will be strictly limited to those assisting the elderly, the sick, or specially-abled passengers.
Additionally, temporary curbs have been enacted on parcel booking, loading, and unloading at major Delhi stations to ensure that passenger flow remains the top priority.
Enhanced Security and Surveillance
To ensure passenger safety during this high-traffic period, Indian Railways has bolstered its security presence and technology:
- Increased Manpower: Approximately 1,300 additional Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel have been deployed.
- Advanced Monitoring: 24/7 surveillance is being conducted via CCTV and AI-enabled cameras.
- Streamlined Security Checks: A centralized baggage-scanning system has replaced multiple entry-gate scanners to prevent bottlenecks and speed up the security process.