New Delhi-Patna Special Vande Bharat for Diwali & Chhath Puja
To manage the massive surge in passenger traffic during the upcoming Diwali and Chhath Puja festivities, Indian Railways has announced a special Vande Bharat Express service connecting New Delhi and Patna. Operated by the Northern Railway zone, this special run is designed to offer a swift and comfortable journey for travelers heading home for the holidays.
Fast Travel Between New Delhi and Patna
The special service aims to significantly reduce travel time, covering the distance of approximately 994 to 998 kilometers in roughly 13 hours. This initiative is specifically timed to alleviate the heavy congestion typically seen on this route during the peak festive season.
Detailed Train Schedule and Timings
The service will operate through 18 trips in each direction. Below are the specific details for the special train numbers:
- Train No. 02252 (New Delhi to Patna): Running every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday from October 21 to November 25, 2026. It departs New Delhi at 8:35 AM and is scheduled to reach Patna Junction at 9:30 PM.
- Train No. 02251 (Patna to New Delhi): Running every Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday from October 22 to November 26, 2026. It departs Patna at 10:00 AM and arrives in New Delhi at 11:30 PM.
Route, Stops, and Coach Configuration
The 16-coach train is equipped with both AC Chair Car and Executive Chair Car configurations to cater to different passenger needs. During its transit, the train will make scheduled stops at the following stations:
- Aligarh
- Kanpur Central
- Prayagraj
- Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction
- Buxar
- Ara
Ticket Fares and Booking Information
Passengers can choose from the following seating options, with meals included in the ticket price:
- AC Chair Car: ₹2,575 to ₹2,600
- Executive Chair Car: ₹4,650 to ₹4,680
Reservations are currently open and can be made via the IRCTC website, the official mobile application, or at any railway reservation counter.
Himanshu Shekhar Upadhyay, CPRO of Northern Railway, and Saraswati Chandra, CPRO of East Central Railway, confirmed the initiative, emphasizing that the service aims to alleviate travel congestion and provide a convenient transit option for festival travelers.