New Delhi-Patna Vande Bharat Special for Diwali & Chhath Puja
Indian Railways has announced the introduction of a New Delhi-Patna Vande Bharat special service to accommodate the massive passenger surge expected during the 2026 Durga Puja, Diwali, and Chhath Puja festivals.
Service Schedule and Frequency
To ensure smooth travel for commuters during the festive rush, the railway has planned a specific schedule for the special trains (02252/02251). The service will operate as follows:
New Delhi to Patna (Train No. 02252)
- Initial Runs: October 16 and October 18, 2026.
- Regular Schedule: Every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday from October 21 to November 25, 2026.
Patna to New Delhi (Train No. 02251)
- Initial Runs: October 17 and October 19, 2026.
- Regular Schedule: Every Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday from October 22 to November 26, 2026.
In total, the railway will operate 18 trips in each direction during this festive period.
Route, Stops, and Amenities
The train will cover a distance of approximately 999 km in about 12 hours and 55 minutes. Passengers can choose between AC Chair Car and Executive Chair Car seating for a comfortable journey.
The special service will make halts at the following stations:
- Aligarh Junction
- Kanpur Central
- Prayagraj Junction
- Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction
- Buxar
- Ara Junction (specifically to serve the Bhojpur district)
The rake for this service is being managed by the East Central Railway (ECR).
Wider Festive Arrangements
Beyond the Vande Bharat service, Indian Railways is launching over 100 special trains to manage the heavy festive demand. Notable services include:
- Ahmedabad-Malda Town Puja Special: This train will pass through Munger, Jamalpur, Bhagalpur, Sultanganj, Kahalgaon, and Sahibganj.
- Ahmedabad-Darbhanga Special (09465/09466): Operating between October 16 and November 16, 2026.
To manage the expected crowds at major stations, temporary passenger holding areas will be established at 15 major railway stations across Bihar starting from November 3.