New Delhi-Patna Vande Bharat: Second Special Pair Announced
To accommodate the massive festive rush, Indian Railways is introducing a second pair of New Delhi Patna Vande Bharat special trains. These new services, designated as 02253 and 02254, are specifically scheduled to cater to travelers during the 2026 Diwali and Chhath Puja festive season.
This addition complements the previously announced 02251/02252 special pair, significantly increasing the frequency of high-speed connectivity between the national capital and Bihar. With these new services, Vande Bharat operations will be available on this route six days a week, with no services scheduled for Fridays.
Detailed Schedule and Timings
The new services are designed to provide flexible travel options for passengers heading home for the holidays. Each direction will complete 16 trips during the operational period.
Train 02254: New Delhi to Patna
- Departure: 08:35 AM from New Delhi
- Arrival: 09:30 PM at Patna Junction
- Travel Duration: 12 hours and 55 minutes
- Operating Days: Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays
- Service Period: October 22, 2026, to November 26, 2026
Train 02253: Patna to New Delhi
- Departure: 10:00 AM from Patna Junction
- Arrival: 11:30 PM at New Delhi
- Travel Duration: 13 hours and 30 minutes
- Operating Days: Saturdays, Mondays, and Wednesdays
- Service Period: October 24, 2026, to November 28, 2026
Route, Stoppages, and Enhanced Comfort
The trains will cover a total distance of approximately 996 kilometers. To ensure seamless connectivity for commuters, the services will stop at several major stations along the route:
- Aligarh
- Kanpur Central
- Prayagraj
- Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction
- Buxar
- Ara
One of the most notable features of this new service is the enhanced capacity. While the first pair of Vande Bharat specials utilizes a 16-coach configuration, these new special trains will operate with a 20-coach rake. This provides more space for passengers across both AC Chair Car and Executive Chair Car classes.
The initiative, approved by the Railway Board, has been coordinated by Northern Railway and East Central Railway to ensure smoother travel management during this high-traffic period.
The announcement was confirmed by East Central Railway (ECR) CPRO Saraswati Chandra and North Central Railway CPRO Dr. Shivam Sharma, highlighting the railway's commitment to managing the heavy passenger demand during the upcoming festive season.