New Delhi-Howrah Special Trains: Festive Travel Boost via Prayagraj
To manage the massive surge in passenger numbers during the upcoming festive season, Indian Railways has introduced two new special train services running between New Delhi and Howrah. These services, which include confirmed stoppages at Prayagraj, are part of a strategic move by the Northern Railway and North Central Railway to alleviate congestion on these vital routes.
Detailed Schedule for Special Trains 04052 and 04051
To better accommodate the high demand, the frequency of these festival special trains has been increased to three days per week. The schedule for the services is as follows:
- Train 04052 (New Delhi to Howrah): This train departs from New Delhi on Fridays, Sundays, and Tuesdays. It is scheduled to arrive at Subedarganj (Prayagraj) at 6:10 AM and will depart at 6:15 AM.
- Train 04051 (Howrah to New Delhi): The return service departs from Howrah on Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays. It reaches Subedarganj (Prayagraj) at 6:40 PM and departs at 6:45 PM.
Coach Composition and Major Route Halts
Both special trains will operate with a 16-coach composition designed to cater to different passenger needs. The coaches include:
- 2 AC III Tier coaches
- 8 Sleeper class coaches
- 4 General class coaches
- 2 SLR coaches
The trains will serve several critical stations along the route, including Ghaziabad, Aligarh, Tundla, Govindpuri, Mirzapur, Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction, Buxar, Ara, Patna, Kiul, Jhajha, Jasidih, Asansol, and Bardhaman.
Additional Festive Services and Vande Bharat Updates
Beyond these two services, the railways have also confirmed one-way trips for superfast trains 04070 from New Delhi and 04069 from Howrah, both of which will feature halts at Patna and Prayagraj. Additionally, the New Delhi-Patna special Vande Bharat Express (02252/02251) will be operational three days a week from October 21 to November 26, 2026, further supporting travel along the Prayagraj corridor.