5 New Trains for Diwali: New Delhi-Varanasi Vande Bharat & More!
Indian Railways to launch five new trains on October 31, 2026, including Vande Bharat Sleeper services, to tackle the Diwali and Chhath festival rush.
In a major move to manage the massive festive crowds, Indian Railways has announced the launch of five new train services on October 31, 2026. These new services are specifically timed to handle the heavy passenger surge expected during the Diwali celebrations (November 6 to November 10) and the subsequent Chhath Puja travel rush (November 16 to November 22, 2026).
Vande Bharat Sleeper Services to Connect Major Hubs
A standout addition to the festive lineup is the New Delhi-Varanasi Vande Bharat Sleeper. This premium service will be officially flagged off by Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. Covering a distance of 966 kilometers via Prayagraj and Kanpur Central, the train will feature a 16-coach rake with a total capacity of 825 berths. It is scheduled to operate six days a week, excluding Saturdays.
Further enhancing long-distance travel, a new Mumbai-Bengaluru Vande Bharat Sleeper service will also be introduced, providing a high-speed, comfortable option for travelers between these two major metropolitan cities.
Amrit Bharat and Superfast Express Launches
For passengers looking for diverse travel options, the Bhuj-Barauni Amrit Bharat Express is set to debut. This service will utilize a 22-coach configuration, which includes:
- 11 Sleeper coaches
- 8 General coaches
- 2 Coaches accessible to Persons with Disabilities (PWD)
Additionally, the Varanasi-Sabarmati Superfast Express will begin daily operations, offering both AC and sleeper classes to ensure connectivity. Another key addition is the Kanpur Central-Anand Vihar Express, aimed at easing the commute between these vital junctions.
Local Connectivity Boost with MEMU Trains
To assist short-distance commuters in the Uttar Pradesh region, two new MEMU trains will commence operations on October 31. These include the Varanasi-Prayagraj Rambagh service and the Varanasi City-Raja Talab route.
Massive Festive Deployment Across Railway Zones
The launch of these new trains is part of a much larger festive deployment strategy across various railway zones:
- Northern Railway: Has scheduled over 6,200 special train trips, marking a 30% increase compared to last year.
- North Central Railway: Will operate over 1,000 'Trains on Demand' (TODs) from October 1 to November 30.
- Central Railway: Is contributing 418 special services to the festive network.
Additional special operations are also being coordinated by the South Western and South Central Railways to ensure that passengers can travel more easily during this peak holiday season.