Diwali & Chhath Rush: Indian Railways Unveils Massive Special Train Plan
Indian Railways has rolled out an extensive operational strategy to manage the massive surge in passenger traffic expected during the upcoming Durga Puja, Diwali, and Chhath festivals. To accommodate the millions of travelers, the rail network has scheduled a staggering 3.4 million regular train trips between October 1 and November 30, 2026, marking an increase of 16,000 trips compared to the previous year.
As of October 13, 2026, the Ministry of Railways has officially notified 8,454 special train trips to handle the holiday rush. Additionally, to boost capacity on existing routes, 412 extra coaches have been attached to regular trains.
Strategic Focus on Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Delhi
The Ministry has identified Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Delhi as the primary focus areas for managing the festive influx. The distribution of services is as follows:
- Bihar: Allocated over 2,057 special trips and more than 31,000 regular trips. To assist travelers, temporary passenger accommodation facilities will be set up at 15 major stations starting November 3, 2026.
- Uttar Pradesh: Scheduled to receive 1,056 special trips and over 37,000 regular trips.
- Delhi Connections: For passengers traveling from Delhi toward Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, 975 special trips have been arranged.
Proposed Delhi-Patna Vande Bharat Service
In a significant move to enhance speed and comfort, Northern Railway has submitted a proposal to the Railway Board for a special Vande Bharat service between Delhi and Patna. If approved, this service will cover the 994 km distance in just 13 hours with six scheduled stops. The proposed operation period is from November 21 to November 25, 2026.
Latest Updates on Festive Special Trains
Recent announcements have further expanded the network of special services. On October 15, 2026, 11 additional pairs (totaling 22 trains) of Puja special services were announced. These trains will connect several major cities, including:
- Hubballi and Bengaluru
- Nagpur and Udhana
- Amritsar and Delhi
- Gorakhpur and Tatanagar
These services are designed to connect these locations to various stations across Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. Furthermore, the South Eastern Railway confirmed two additional pairs of services from the Chakradharpur division on October 14, 2026.
This massive deployment follows the Railway Board’s September 21, 2026, directive to operate 150 Puja special trains, totaling 2,022 trips, through November 30. Northern Railway is specifically targeting the deployment of nearly 2,000 additional trains to manage the heavy congestion in the Eastern Uttar Pradesh and Bihar regions.