Ludhiana Special Trains for Diwali and Chhath Puja
Northern Railway launches special trains from Ludhiana to Saharsa, Kolkata, and Gaya for Diwali and Chhath Puja to manage festive crowds.
As the festive season of Diwali and Chhath Puja approaches, Ludhiana railway station is witnessing a massive surge in passenger traffic. To accommodate the heavy rush of travelers, particularly those heading towards Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, Northern Railway has announced a series of festival special trains to ensure smoother journeys.
Managing Massive Festive Crowds
Ludhiana station is currently experiencing significant overcrowding. Passengers traveling to destinations in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh are facing heavy congestion in both reserved and unreserved coaches. To address this, Northern Railway has coordinated with East Central Railway (ECR) and Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) to operate several special services to ease the pressure on existing trains.
Full Schedule of Festival Special Trains
The following special trains have been scheduled to depart from Ludhiana to assist commuters during the festive period:
- Ludhiana–Saharsa Special (04656/04655): Scheduled for departure on November 6, 9, and 11.
- Ludhiana–Kolkata Special (04666/04665): Scheduled for departure on November 6.
- Ludhiana–Purnia Special (04660/04659): Scheduled for departure on November 5 and 9.
- Ludhiana–Darbhanga Special (04662/04661): Scheduled for departure on November 7, 10, and 11.
- Ludhiana–Gaya Special (04664/04663): Scheduled for departure on November 12.
Enhanced Safety and Crowd Control Measures
To maintain order and ensure passenger safety amidst the high footfall, the Ferozepur Division has implemented several strict management strategies. A dedicated control room has been established to monitor station activities, and Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel have been deployed round-the-clock.
Additional facilities have also been introduced to manage the crowds, including:
- The setup of dedicated holding areas for passengers.
- Deployment of additional tents for temporary shelter.
- Expansion of waiting room capacities to handle more commuters.
Traveler Advisory
Railway officials have advised all passengers to plan their travel carefully. To avoid confusion or delays, travelers are encouraged to verify the latest departure timings and real-time train status via the NTES website or by calling the national railway helpline at 139 before arriving at the station.