Diwali & Chhath Puja: Special Trains for Delhi, Patna & More
Indian Railways announces special festive trains, including Durg-Delhi and Gondia-Patna services, to manage Diwali and Chhath Puja passenger rush.
To tackle the massive surge in passenger numbers during the upcoming Diwali and Chhath Puja festival season, Indian Railways has announced a comprehensive schedule of special trains. This initiative is designed to manage the heavy festive rush and ensure smoother journeys for travelers heading home to celebrate with their families.
SECR Boosts Connectivity for Durg and Patna
The South East Central Railway (SECR) has confirmed several key services to alleviate congestion. A major highlight is the Durg-Delhi Junction Special (Train No. 08795). This single-trip special is scheduled to depart from Durg station at 11:00 AM on November 2, 2026, and is expected to arrive at Delhi Junction at 08:30 AM the following day.
This service will provide essential connectivity with scheduled halts at the following locations:
- Raipur
- Uslapur
- Shahdol
- Katni Murwara
- Sagar
- Veerangana Laxmibai Jhansi
- Gwalior
- Agra Cantt
- Mathura
Furthermore, to assist travelers on the Gondia-Patna route, SECR will operate three round-trip services to help ensure better berth availability. Public Relations Officer Amit Kumar Singh noted that these measures are specifically aimed at controlling passenger congestion during the holiday period and providing a seamless travel experience.
Wider Festive Train Network
The festive special train rollout extends across the national network, with 45 pairs of special trains introduced to connect major hubs. These services will link cities such as Delhi, Ambala, and Chandigarh to vital destinations across Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and the North East.
Notable services include:
- Anand Vihar-Chhapra Special (04058/04057): Operating from November 3 to November 17.
- Eastern Railway Services: New connections between Ranchi and Dumka, as well as Kolkata and Ludhiana, starting October 31 and November 1.
Vande Bharat Sleeper and Southern Railway Updates
In a significant development for high-speed connectivity, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw have inaugurated the Kashi-Delhi Vande Bharat Sleeper train. This new service is set to enhance travel comfort and efficiency during the peak festive rush.
In the south, Southern Railway has also introduced special services to accommodate travelers. These include trains between Chennai Central and Podanur, starting November 5, and between Chennai Egmore and Kollam, starting November 6.
Passengers are advised to utilize the official railway inquiry number 139 for further travel information and real-time updates.