Indian Railways launches festival special trains as booking demand hits record highs
Indian Railways is introducing an extensive schedule of festival special trains to accommodate record-breaking passenger demand for Dussehra, Diwali, and Chhath Puja between October and November 2026. These new services connect major transit hubs like Delhi, Mumbai, and Varanasi to high-demand destinations across Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, offering much-needed relief to travellers. Here are the key highlights of the festival travel arrangements:
- New Delhi to Supaul daily special train will operate from October 1 to November 28, completing 59 trips in each direction.
- New Delhi to Patna Puja special train will run daily from October 10 to November 25.
- IRCTC recorded massive bookings of 20 lakh tickets on September 7, 2026, and 19.50 lakh on September 8, 2026.
- Strict booking rules remain in place with a 60-day Advance Reservation Period and mandatory Aadhaar verification for general reserved e-tickets between 8:00 AM and 12:00 AM.
Festival Special Services and Passenger Rush
The introduction of these festival specials aims to mitigate the severe 'no room' crisis where regular trains reach full capacity within minutes of booking windows opening. Despite the launch of dedicated holiday trains, passengers continue to experience immense pressure on the system. Many users have reported technical failures, including 'High Load' errors on the IRCTC platform, particularly during the peak 8:00 AM booking window. Travellers are advised to plan their journeys well in advance and keep alternative routes in mind.
Strict Booking Protocols and Anti-Malpractice Rules
To manage the massive festive surge and ensure fair access, Indian Railways has enforced strict booking protocols. Tatkal bookings now utilize a mandatory OTP verification for online users and a new token system at counters to curb malpractice. Under this system, counter tokens for AC Tatkal are issued between 8:30 AM and 9:00 AM, while Sleeper and Non-AC tokens are provided from 9:00 AM to 9:30 AM. Furthermore, Aadhaar verification has been required for general reserved e-tickets during the initial booking window since January 14, 2026.
Regional Disruptions and Maintenance Work
In addition to the festive rush, passengers must account for regional disruptions affecting train operations. Northern Railway implemented cancellations, diversions, and short-terminations from September 11 to 13, 2026, due to the BRICS Summit in Delhi. Simultaneously, maintenance in the Eastern Railway's Kolkata PRS scheduled service interruptions for ticket operations on the nights of September 13-14 and September 14-15. Additional technical work in the South Eastern Railway's Adra Division resulted in service impacts from September 7 through September 13, 2026. Passengers are strongly urged to verify their current train status via NTES or by dialing 139 before heading to the station.