18 Special Trains for Dussehra & Diwali: Indian Railways Relief!
To tackle the massive surge in passenger traffic during the upcoming festive season, the Railway Board has officially approved the operation of 18 special trains. This strategic move aims to provide much-needed relief to approximately 32,000 passengers currently stuck on waiting lists for the Dussehra, Diwali, and Chhath festivals.
The decision comes after proposals for 56 special trains were submitted by the Northern, North Eastern, and North Central Railways to manage the heavy holiday rush.
Lucknow to Mumbai: Dedicated Festive Services
One of the most significant updates comes from the Northern Railway’s Lucknow Division. Senior DCM Samarth Gupta confirmed the introduction of two dedicated special services to manage the travel demand between Lucknow and Mumbai.
Sultanpur to LTT Festival Special (Train 04212)
This service is designed to connect Uttar Pradesh with Maharashtra, offering a convenient route for travelers. Key details include:
- Schedule: Departs from Sultanpur every Wednesday from October 21 to November 11.
- Major Stops: Lucknow, Kanpur Central, Orai, Virangana Lakshmibai Jhansi Junction, Bina, Rani Kamlapati, Itarsi, Khandwa, Bhusawal, Nashik Road, Igatpuri, Kalyan, and Thane.
- Arrival: Reaches Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (LTT) at 2:00 PM the following day.
LTT to Sultanpur Special (Train 04211)
The return journey will cater to passengers heading back toward Uttar Pradesh:
- Schedule: Departs from LTT every Thursday from October 22 to November 12.
- Arrival: Reaches Lucknow at 8:50 PM and concludes its journey at Sultanpur at 11:00 PM.
Note: Both services will feature a coach composition of 14 Third AC Economy coaches and four General coaches to accommodate different classes of travelers.
Varanasi to Bathinda: Connecting the North and East
Another major addition is the Varanasi-Bathinda Festival Special, which will help commuters traveling through the northern corridors. This service will traverse several important stations, including Pratapgarh, Raebareli, Utretia Junction, Aalambagh, Bareilly, Moradabad, Najibabad, Saharanpur, Yamunanagar Jagadhri, and Ambala Cantt.
Service Timings:
- Train 04221 (Varanasi to Bathinda): Scheduled for operation on October 4, 11, 18, 25, and November 1, 8, 15, and 22.
- Train 04222 (Bathinda to Varanasi): Scheduled for operation on October 5, 12, 19, 26, and November 2, 9, 16, and 23.
Additional Festive Trains Announced
The Railway Board has also greenlit other essential services to ensure smoother travel across different regions:
- Firozpur-Purnia Festival Special: Slated to commence operations on October 8.
- Varanasi-LTT Special (Train 04226): Another dedicated service to connect the Varanasi Division with Mumbai.