Ludhiana-Gaya Special Train: Northern Railway Adds Festive Services
Northern Railway introduces special trains like the Ludhiana-Gaya service to ease festive rush via Raebareli this Diwali and Chhath season.
To tackle the massive surge in passenger numbers during the upcoming festive season, Northern Railway has announced the introduction of two additional special trains. These services, which will pass through Raebareli, are designed to provide much-needed relief to commuters traveling for Diwali and Chhath Puja. Among these new services, the Ludhiana Gaya special train stands out as a key addition to the festive schedule.
Ludhiana-Gaya Special Train Schedule
Senior Divisional Commercial Manager Samarth Gupta confirmed the announcement, highlighting the railway's proactive approach to managing traffic through Raebareli. The Ludhiana-Gaya special service is specifically timed to accommodate the high demand for travel between Punjab and Bihar.
Outbound Journey Details
The Ludhiana-Gaya special train is scheduled to depart from Ludhiana on November 12, 2026, at 6:30 AM. It will travel through several key stations before reaching Raebareli in the evening.
- Arrival at Raebareli: 9:14 PM
- Departure from Raebareli: 9:16 PM (following a scheduled two-minute halt)
- Arrival at Gaya: 8:00 AM on November 13, 2026
Major Halt Points and Route
The train will serve a wide range of stations, ensuring connectivity across multiple regions. The scheduled stops include:
- Dhandari Kalan and Sanehwal
- Sirhind and Rajpura
- Ambala Cantt and Yamunanagar Jagadhri
- Saharanpur and Moradabad
- Bareilly and Shahjahanpur
- Alam Nagar and Utretia
- Pratapgarh and Varanasi
- DDU Junction, Bhabhua Road, Sasaram, and Dehri On Son
Return Journey from Gaya
For passengers traveling back from Bihar, the return service is scheduled to depart from Gaya on November 13, 2026, at 11:00 AM. The return itinerary is as follows:
- Arrival at Raebareli: 7:43 PM
- Arrival at Ludhiana: 12:50 AM on November 14, 2026
Boosting Festive Capacity by 30%
This move is part of a massive Indian Railways initiative to manage the heavy holiday rush. The railway administration plans to operate over 6,200 special train trips for the Diwali and Chhath festivities. This represents a significant 30% increase in capacity compared to the previous year, with a strategic focus on routes serving Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and West Bengal.