Northern Railway Updates 45 Train Timings for Diwali Rush
Northern Railway has revised schedules for 45 trains and added new services like Amrit Bharat to manage the Diwali and Chhath Puja festive rush.
To accommodate the massive surge in passenger traffic during the upcoming Diwali and Chhath Puja festivals, Northern Railway has announced significant operational changes. A total of 45 trains operating to and from Delhi will undergo revisions in their timings, routes, and terminal points to ensure smoother travel during the festive season.
These adjustments will be rolled out in phases, starting from October 28, 2026, and are expected to continue through January 2027.
Key Schedule Changes for Major Services
Several prominent trains will see changes to their arrival and departure schedules at major hubs like Delhi, Ghaziabad, and Anand Vihar. Some of the most notable changes include:
- Purva Express (12381): Now scheduled to arrive at New Delhi Station at 6:20 AM and depart for Shakurbasti at 6:45 AM, arriving at 7:20 AM.
- Purva Express (12382): Starting October 30, the return journey will now depart from Shakurbasti instead of New Delhi.
- Delhi Junction-Satrod Passenger (54085): This service will now depart from Delhi Junction at 6:35 AM.
Other high-profile services that have undergone timing modifications include the Lucknow Mail, Vaishali Express, Humsafar Express (12275), Rewa Express, Prayagraj Express, Vikramshila Express, and the Tejas Rajdhani.
New Trains and Special Festive Services
In addition to the timing revisions, Indian Railways is introducing several new services to help manage the heavy holiday demand. Starting October 31, 2026, five new trains will be introduced, including a Vande Bharat and an Amrit Bharat Express.
New Routes and Special Trains
- Kanpur Central to Anand Vihar: A new daily service (14153/14154) will operate between these two major cities.
- Bhuj-Barauni Amrit Bharat Express: The new service (19427/19428) will provide much-needed connectivity.
- Durg-Nizamuddin Puja Special: To cater to the festive rush, the 08751 Durg-Nizamuddin Puja Special will run on November 1, 8, and 15. The return service (08752) will depart from Hazrat Nizamuddin on November 2, 9, and 16.
National Festive Travel Outlook
Across the country, Indian Railways has planned approximately 3.4 lakh regular train trips between October 1 and November 30, 2026. To further ease the pressure, 8,454 special train trips have already been notified.
North Central Railway is also stepping up by announcing over 1,000 'Trains on Demand' (TODs) for the 61-day festive period. Based on recent data, the demand is highest in certain regions:
- Bihar: 2,057 special trips allocated.
- Uttar Pradesh: 1,056 special trips allocated.
- Delhi: 975 special trips allocated.
Traveler Advisory: Passengers are strongly advised to verify the latest train timings, stoppages, and seat availability through the official NTES app or by dialing 139 before commencing their journey.