12,000 Special Trains for Diwali & Chhath Puja 2026!
Indian Railways is gearing up for a massive festive surge by announcing a huge fleet of extra services. To ensure smooth travel during the Diwali and Chhath Puja 2026 season, the national transporter has prepared an extensive plan to manage the millions of passengers heading home.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw confirmed that approximately 12,000 special trains will be operational between October 1 and November 15, 2026. This massive deployment is designed to tackle the heavy passenger traffic expected during this period.
Unreserved and On-Demand Services
To assist travelers who may be unable to secure confirmed seats on regular services, the ministry has introduced several rapid-response options:
- 150 Fully Unreserved Trains: These services are being prepared for rapid deployment across high-demand routes to handle last-minute surges.
- Trains on Demand (TOD): Zonal Railways are implementing TOD services, with the North Central Railway alone organizing over 1,000 special trips.
Important Note for Passengers: While unreserved (General Second) coaches are available on many of these special trains, passengers must purchase dedicated tickets for them. Please note that regular unreserved tickets remain invalid for these special fare services.
Enhanced Connectivity and Security
The festive operational window spans 61 days, concluding on November 30, 2026. To facilitate easier travel, new connections and strengthened services have been established between major hubs, including:
- Delhi and Patna
- Bengaluru and Varanasi
- Kanpur and Ayodhya
- Chandigarh and other key destinations