New Delhi-Patna Vande Bharat Special Proposed for Festival Rush
To manage the massive surge in passenger demand during the upcoming Diwali and Chhath Puja festivals, Northern Railway has submitted a formal proposal to the Railway Board for a new Vande Bharat Special train service connecting New Delhi and Patna.
If approved, this high-speed service will cover approximately 994 km in roughly 13 hours, providing a much-needed boost to connectivity for travelers heading to Bihar during the festive season.
Details of the Proposed Vande Bharat Services
The proposal includes two distinct pairs of services to ensure better availability for passengers:
- First Pair (02252/02251): This service is planned to run from New Delhi on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays between October 21 and November 25. The return trips from Patna are proposed for Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays between October 22 and November 26.
- Second Pair (02253/02254): This pair is proposed to operate from Patna between October 24 and November 28, with return services from New Delhi scheduled between October 22 and November 26.
The proposed route for these Vande Bharat services includes stops at several key stations: Aligarh, Kanpur Central, Prayagraj, Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction, Buxar, and Ara.
Expansion of Existing Festival Special Trains
Beyond the new Vande Bharat proposal, Northern Railway is also expanding the frequency and scope of existing festival special trains to accommodate the holiday crowd:
- Delhi-Gaya Special: This service will operate 31 trips in both directions between October 26 and December 1, running six days a week.
- New Delhi-Patna Junction Special (04088/04087): A significant number of 36 daily trips in each direction have been proposed between October 26 and December 1.
- Delhi-Danapur Special: This service has been upgraded to a twice-weekly frequency to assist commuters.
Important Information for Passengers
Himanshu Shekhar Upadhyay, Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO), has clarified that ticket reservations through the IRCTC portal will only begin once the Railway Board provides official approval and formal notification.
Passengers planning to travel on these special services should keep the following points in mind:
- Travel is strictly limited to passengers holding confirmed e-tickets.
- Travelers are advised to arrive at the station at least 90 minutes prior to departure for necessary health screenings.
- Passengers are encouraged to carry their own food and linen for the journey.