Khurda Road-Delhi & Mumbai-Ayodhya Special Trains Announced
To manage the massive surge in passenger traffic during the 2026 Diwali and Chhath Puja festivities, Indian Railways has officially announced the introduction of several special train services. These new routes are designed to provide much-needed connectivity between Odisha, Delhi, Maharashtra, and Uttar Pradesh, ensuring smoother travel for holiday commuters.
Khurda Road Junction to Anand Vihar Terminal Special Express
One of the key additions is the Khurda Road Junction-Anand Vihar Terminal Festival Special Express. This service, operating under train numbers 08407 and 08408, aims to ease the heavy holiday demand between Odisha and the national capital.
Train Schedule and Timings:
- Train 08407 (Departure): This train will depart from Khurda Road on October 21 and October 25, 2026, at 12:15 PM. It is scheduled to reach Anand Vihar Terminal at 10:30 PM the following day.
- Train 08408 (Return): The return service will depart from Anand Vihar Terminal at 12:30 AM on October 23 and October 27, 2026, arriving at Khurda Road at 10:45 AM the next day.
Coach Composition:
To cater to various passenger preferences, the train will feature a mix of 2 AC Tier, 3 AC Tier, Sleeper, and General classes.
Major Stoppages for the Khurda Road-Delhi Special
The special express will provide extensive connectivity across multiple states, with scheduled halts at the following stations:
- Bhubaneswar and Cuttack
- Jajpur Keonjhar Road, Bhadrak, and Balasore
- Hijli, Medinipur, Bishnupur, and Bankura Junction
- Adra Junction and Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Junction Gomoh
- Koderma, Gaya Junction, and Dehri On Sone
- Sasaram and Mughalsarai Road
- Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction, Subedarganj, and Govindpuri
- Tundla Junction and Ghaziabad
Mumbai to Ayodhya Special Service Confirmed
In addition to the Odisha-Delhi route, Indian Railways has confirmed the operation of a special service connecting Mumbai to the holy city of Ayodhya. The Lokmanya Tilak Terminus-Ayodhya Cantt Special Train will operate during the same festive period to facilitate pilgrims and travelers moving between Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh.
These strategic initiatives by the railway authorities are expected to significantly reduce overcrowding and provide more reliable travel options for millions of passengers celebrating the upcoming festivals.