Indian Railways announces over 6000 special trains for festive rush

Indian Railways has unveiled a comprehensive plan to manage the significant surge in passenger traffic during the upcoming Dussehra, Diwali, and Chhath Puja festivals in 2026. To accommodate the massive rush of travellers heading home, the Ministry of Railways has notified more than 6,000 special train services, ensuring smoother journeys and reduced waitlists on popular routes. Passengers can look forward to seamless connectivity as the national transporter ramps up its infrastructure and deploys dedicated resources to handle the festive rush effectively.

Here are the key highlights of the festival special train services for 2026:
- Over 6,000 special train services have been notified by the Ministry of Railways for Dussehra, Diwali, and Chhath Puja.
- Approximately 900 services will operate in the three-day period beginning September 4, 2026.
- Roughly 432 special train trips are planned between September 4 and November 30, 2026, to clear congestion.
- Specific festival special trains are scheduled to run from September 11 to December 7, 2026.
- Ayodhya Cantt-Anand Vihar Terminus bi-weekly reserved special train (04213/04214) will operate 18 trips from October 1 to November 30, 2026.
- Around 30 railway stations across Bihar are receiving upgrades like weather-proof holding areas, CCTV surveillance, and extra ticket counters.

Northern Railway Festival Services and Timings

Northern Railway has confirmed that various services connecting major cities in Uttar Pradesh to Delhi, Chandigarh, and Punjab will operate throughout October and November. Among these additions is the Ayodhya Cantt-Anand Vihar Terminus bi-weekly reserved special train (04213/04214). This service will depart Ayodhya Cantt every Thursday and Sunday from October 1 to November 29, 2026, and return from Anand Vihar every Friday and Monday from October 2 to November 30, 2026, totaling 18 trips.

The Ayodhya Cantt-Anand Vihar train is scheduled to leave Ayodhya Cantt at 6:20 PM, arriving in Lucknow at 8:45 PM and reaching Anand Vihar at 6:10 AM. On the return leg, the train departs Anand Vihar at 9:00 AM, reaches Lucknow at 6:20 PM, and arrives at Ayodhya Cantt at 10:00 PM. Key stoppages include Barabanki, Lucknow, Shahjahanpur, Bareilly, Moradabad, Amroha, Hapur, and Ghaziabad. Other important routes announced include Varanasi-Delhi and Varanasi-Chandigarh.

Passenger Safety and Station Upgrades

To ensure safety and operational efficiency, especially regarding the Chhath festivities, approximately 30 railway stations across Bihar are being upgraded with weather-proof holding areas, CCTV surveillance, and additional ticket counters. The Railway Protection Force (RPF) has also been deployed to provide assistance and maintain security for passengers. According to a senior railway official, these direct services between northern and southern hubs were introduced to simplify travel by minimizing the necessity for transfers and multiple ticket bookings.

Indian Railways announces over 6000 special trains for festive rush

Northern Railway Festival Services and Timings

Passenger Safety and Station Upgrades

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