Indian Railways Unveils Massive Festive Special Train Network
To accommodate the massive surge in passenger traffic during the upcoming festive season, Indian Railways has launched a comprehensive operational plan. Between October 1 and November 30, 2026, the network will operate 8,454 special train trips alongside 3.4 lakh regular train services to manage the rush for Dussehra, Diwali, and Chhath Puja.
Massive Boost in Special Services and Capacity
The Eastern Railway is significantly increasing its capacity, notifying 1,354 special trips, which represents a 12.08% increase compared to the previous year. Additionally, 11 pairs of dedicated Puja Special trains have been introduced to meet the heightened demand.
In Bihar, East Central Railway is focusing on enhancing connectivity to major cities. To facilitate this, 15 major stations across the state have implemented special arrangements to accommodate the influx of passengers.
Key Train Updates and New Routes
Several existing services are being upgraded, and new routes are being introduced to ease the travel burden:
- Mithila Express (13021/13022): This train will run with an additional LHB coach, increasing its total capacity to 21 coaches from October 15 through November 21.
- Hubballi-Muzaffarpur Special (07315/07316): A new special service to connect these regions.
- Tatanagar-Buxar Special (08183/08184): A newly introduced special route.
- Anand Vihar-Bhagalpur Daily (04062/04061): Daily services will be available between these two locations.
Station Management and Delhi Area Changes
To handle the heavy crowds, station holding areas in the Eastern Railway zone have been expanded by 35.61%. Furthermore, additional unreserved ticket counters and more commercial staff have been deployed to manage passenger flow efficiently.
For travelers using the Delhi-area stations, Northern Railway has announced temporary platform changes for over a dozen trains at New Delhi Railway Station. These changes will be in effect from October 16 to November 17, 2026.
To maintain security and oversee operations, mini control rooms are being established at several key locations, including:
- New Delhi
- Anand Vihar
- Delhi Junction
- Hazrat Nizamuddin
Important Tips for Passengers
Railway officials have urged all travelers to verify their train schedules, seat availability, and specific travel dates through the official railway website or the NTES portal. For immediate assistance, passengers can also call the inquiry number 139.
For passengers seeking unreserved travel, the system offers a "Get Confirmed Tickets" facility, which allows travelers to check for available berths up to four hours before the train's scheduled departure.