Indian Railways to SMS Vacant Seats for Diwali & Chhath Puja
Indian Railways is introducing a proactive measure to assist passengers during the upcoming festive season. To help travelers secure travel during the heavy rush of Diwali and Chhath Puja, the department will now provide real-time updates on vacant seats in festival special trains through bulk SMS alerts.
This initiative aims to simplify the booking process for those struggling with heavy waiting lists on regular services. The railway department has compiled a database of mobile numbers from passengers who traveled to Uttar Pradesh and Bihar over the past year, ensuring that those most likely to travel during the festivities receive direct notifications regarding seat availability.
A Massive Network of Special Train Trips
To accommodate the anticipated surge in passenger numbers, a robust schedule of festival special services has been announced. Between October 1 and November 30, 2026, the railways will operate a total of 1,053 special train trips. These services will connect major hubs in Delhi, Maharashtra, and Uttar Pradesh to vital destinations in Bihar, including:
- Patna
- Muzaffarpur
- Darbhanga
- Gaya
Regional Special Train Updates
Northern Railway Operations
The Northern Railway has planned a significant expansion to cater to passengers heading towards Eastern India. The department will run 11 pairs of special trains, totaling 332 trips. These services will cover key routes including Jammu, Katra, Varanasi, Haridwar, and Prayagraj, along with various destinations across Bihar.
Central Railway Festive Offerings
Central Railway is also stepping up its services for Durga Puja, Diwali, and Chhath 2026. According to Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) Dr. Swapnil Nila, the railway will provide 418 special train services. These will operate from major stations such as CSMT, Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (LTT), Pune, Hadapsar, and Nagpur. Notably, there will be 64 daily special services running between Mumbai and Gorakhpur.
Booking Details and Demand Monitoring
Passengers can begin planning their journeys well in advance. For 102 specific special train trips dedicated to Diwali and Dussehra, bookings commenced on September 27, 2026. According to CPRO Dr. Shivam Sharma, these special trains are expected to operate primarily from October 1 through mid-December 202