Northern Railway Festival Special Trains: 6,200+ Services for 2026
Northern Railway announces 6,200+ special trains for the 2026 festival season, including new routes through Varanasi, Moradabad, and Saharanpur.
To manage the heavy passenger surge expected during the 2026 festive season, the administration has announced a massive expansion of Northern Railway festival special trains, with over 6,200 services planned. This represents a significant 30 percent increase in special train operations compared to the previous year.
In addition to these special services, the railway is introducing 42 new regular trains to bolster capacity. The plan focuses on ensuring safe and comfortable travel across key regions in Uttar Pradesh, including major stops such as Saharanpur, Bareilly, Moradabad, Hardoi, and Varanasi.
Moradabad Division to Increase Coach Capacity
To specifically address the high demand for travel following the festivals, the Moradabad division has announced an initiative to attach additional coaches to 10 identified special trains. This measure is intended to clear existing waitlists and provide much-needed convenience for commuters traveling back to their destinations.
This reinforcement of train capacity is scheduled to take effect between November 1 and November 17, 2026, helping to ease the pressure on the rail network during this peak period.
Key Special Train Routes and Schedules
Several specific train services have been highlighted to improve connectivity for passengers traveling to and from Uttar Pradesh:
- Ahmedabad-Darbhanga Special (09465): This service will pass through Varanasi on October 17, 24, 31, and November 7 and 14.
- Chandigarh to Patna Special (04512): Operating every Thursday from October 1 to November 26, this train is scheduled to arrive in Varanasi at 16:35 the following day.
- Patna to Chandigarh Special (04511): The return journey will operate every Friday from October 2 to November 27.
- Saharanpur-Lucknow Special (04552): This service remains part of the ongoing regional connectivity plan to manage passenger flow.