NCR Festive Surge: 1,053 Special Trains & Extra Coaches Announced!
With the festive season of Durga Puja, Diwali, and Chhath fast approaching, the North Central Railway (NCR) has launched a massive operation to manage the expected influx of passengers. To prevent overcrowding and ensure travelers can reach their destinations comfortably, the railway is introducing a significant number of special services and increasing coach capacity on several key routes.
1,053 'Trains on Demand' to Ease Travel
In a major move to accommodate the holiday rush, NCR will operate a staggering 1,053 'Trains on Demand' (TODs) between October 1 and November 30, 2026. These special services are designed to provide much-needed relief to passengers traveling home for the festivities.
Dr. Shivam Sharma, Chief Public Relations Officer for North Central Railway, confirmed that these services are being deployed based on real-time demand. He also noted that the list of special trains could expand further as the situation requires.
Immediate Relief for Key Routes
To address the immediate pressure on existing services, several specific upgrades have already been implemented:
- Increased Coach Capacity: As of September 8, 2026, more coaches have been added to the Kanpur Intercity and the Chitrakoot Express.
- Doubled Capacity: For the route between Kanpur Central and Prayagraj Sangam, the capacity for three pairs of trains has been doubled.
- Subedarganj-Valsad Special: A permanent sleeper coach has been added to Train No. 04177/04178, effective September 8 and 9, 2026.
Strengthened Security and Station Management
Beyond adding trains, the railway is focusing heavily on station management to handle the crowds. Additional commercial staff and Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel are being deployed to maintain order. Specific relief measures are already in motion at Kanpur Central railway station to streamline passenger movement.
The railway administration continues to closely monitor booking data and waitlists to ensure that service distribution is optimized for all passengers throughout the festive period.