Indian Railways has announced a special travel plan to accommodate the massive influx of pilgrims during the Kanwar Yatra 2026. To ensure seamless connectivity, the 14815/14816 Sriganganagar-Rishikesh Daily Express will observe four additional temporary halts from July 30 to August 13. These halts, which will last for two minutes each, are scheduled at Raywala, Motichur, Jwalapur, and Kankather stations. This initiative is designed to assist devotees traveling for the Kanwar Mela, which begins on July 30 and concludes with the final Jalabhishek on August 11.
Enhanced Connectivity and Special Services
Beyond the additional halts, Indian Railways has launched a comprehensive operational plan. This includes the introduction of **five dedicated special train services**, three of which are unreserved Kanwar Mela Specials. Furthermore, the **Delhi-Shamli-Delhi DMU (74022/74023)** and the **Delhi-Saharanpur-Delhi MEMU (64557/64558)** services have been officially extended to Haridwar. To manage the surge in passenger volume, the railway will also run a daily **Kanwar Mela Special (04314)** between Haridwar and Delhi Shahdara from July 30 to August 13, with additional services linking Yoganagari Rishikesh to Delhi Shahdara and Alam Nagar. To further alleviate overcrowding, **two temporary general coaches** are being added to eight major trains.
Passenger Safety and Facility Upgrades
Senior Divisional Commercial Manager Mahesh Yadav stated that the department is fully prepared to attach even more coaches to regular services if the demand increases. Meanwhile, North Western Railway CPRO Amit Sudarshan emphasized that these measures are central to the railway’s commitment to passenger convenience.
To ensure a safe and hygienic environment, the railway is implementing several key measures:
- Deployment of 24-hour medical teams and standby ambulances.
- Introduction of ‘Pink Toilets’ specifically for women.
- Strict quality checks on all railway food outlets and daily sanitation drives.
- Enforcement of safety guidelines, including a ban on the sale of meat and liquor along Kanwar routes in Rishikesh.
- Regulation of DJ sound intensity and restrictions on Kanwar height for safety compliance.
Passengers are advised to check the latest schedules on the IRCTC website or the NTES app before planning their journey.