Indian Railways Launches Special Trains For Diwali And Chhath Puja

Indian Railways has announced a comprehensive plan to operate special festival trains to manage the heavy surge in passenger traffic during the upcoming Durga Puja, Diwali, and Chhath Puja season. Announced on September 3, 2026, these special services are scheduled to operate from September 11 through December 7 to provide much-needed relief to travellers facing long waiting lists on major routes connecting to bustling cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, and various destinations in Bihar. Regular bookings for major routes are currently saturated up to 60 days in advance, which prompted the scheduling of these additional services. Northern Railway has prioritized the introduction of direct services to eliminate the need for connecting trains, alleviating the burden on passengers who previously faced frustrating delays transferring at transit hubs like Jhansi or Bhopal.

Key Details Of Festival Special Trains

To help passengers plan their journeys smoothly during the festive rush, Northern Railway has introduced specific routes and timetables. The Varanasi-Delhi Special (Train No. 04209) will depart Varanasi at 10:15 PM every Friday, Monday, and Wednesday from October 2 to November 28. Its return service, the Delhi-Varanasi Special (Train No. 04210), is scheduled to depart Delhi at 6:50 PM every Saturday, Tuesday, and Thursday from October 3 to November 29.

Additionally, the Varanasi-Chandigarh Festival Special (Train No. 04227) will depart Varanasi at 11:05 AM every Thursday and Sunday from October 1 to November 29. The return leg, operating as Train No. 04228, will depart Chandigarh at 6:00 AM every Friday and Monday from October 2 to November 30. Northern Railway has confirmed that these special trains are intended to ensure safe, comfortable, and seamless travel for all passengers throughout the entire festive period.