Indian Railways has rolled out an extensive festive travel plan to manage the massive passenger surge during the upcoming Diwali and Chhath festivals, ensuring smoother journeys for millions heading home. Indian Railways has officially sanctioned 12,500 special trains for the festive season, with 5,975 specifically notified for the 2024-2025 period. Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw confirmed that general coaches will be added to approximately 108 trains, a measure expected to benefit over 1 crore passengers. The initiative, which officially commenced operations on September 9, 2026, involves coordination between the Northern, East Central, Western, Central, and South Western Railway zones.
Booking protocols follow the standard Advance Reservation Period (ARP) of 60 days, with slots opening daily at 8:00 AM IST.
Special fare trains are subject to a mandatory 10% surcharge on Second Sitting classes and up to 30% on Sleeper and AC classes, with no concessions provided. Cancellations incur a 25% penalty if made between 72 and 24 hours prior to departure, rising to 50% for cancellations within 24 to 8 hours, and zero refund thereafter. Refund processing is automatic for trains canceled by the Railways.
Key connectivity enhancements include new services such as the
Chandigarh-Patna Special Express (04512/04511) and the
Firozpur Cantt. Junction-Patna Junction special (04615/04616). Additionally, the
Patna-Howrah-Patna Special (02024/02023) has been extended for 11 Sunday trips across the final quarter of 2026. High-demand routes originating from Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Pune, and Kolkata are currently serving major Bihar hubs, including Patna, Danapur, Darbhanga, Saharsa, and Muzaffarpur. To manage terminal traffic, approximately 30 stations in Bihar have been bolstered with additional ticket counters, medical booths, and expanded CCTV surveillance systems.
