Northern Railway Updates Timings for Delhi-Bound Express Trains
Northern Railway has updated schedules for major Delhi-bound trains like Tejas Rajdhani and Vaishali Express for the Diwali and Chhath Puja rush.
To manage the massive influx of passengers during the upcoming Diwali and Chhath Puja festivals, Northern Railway has announced significant adjustments to the operational schedules of several major express trains. These changes primarily affect high-priority services departing from Delhi and Anand Vihar, which connect the national capital to key destinations in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.
Major Trains Affected by Schedule Changes
The revised timetables are set to take effect on October 28 and October 29. Passengers traveling on several prominent long-distance services are advised to check the updated timings to ensure smooth travel during the festive rush. The following trains are among those seeing schedule updates:
- Tejas Rajdhani
- Sampoorna Kranti Express
- Lucknow Mail
- Vaishali Express
- Vikramshila Express
- Prayagraj Express
Massive Expansion of Festive Special Services
In a major effort to handle the seasonal surge, Indian Railways is implementing a significant increase in capacity. Compared to the previous year, there has been a 30 percent increase in special train trips. Himanshu Shekhar Upadhyay, Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) of Northern Railway, stated that the department is deploying over 6,200 special trips throughout the festive season.
Key highlights of this festive strategy include:
- The regularization of 42 new trains.
- The addition of extra AC coaches on 10 key special services to boost overall capacity.
New Special Trains for the Festive Season
To further assist commuters, several new special services have been introduced or expanded:
- Chandigarh-Barauni Festival Special (Train no. 04535): Scheduled to operate from November 27.
- Delhi-Patna Vande Bharat Express: A festival special that has commenced tri-weekly service as of October 21.
- Firozpur-Purnia Special: A new service that began operating from Chandigarh on October 29.
Enhanced Security and Passenger Facilities
Beyond increasing train frequency, Northern Railway has also focused on improving the passenger experience at major stations. This includes increased security presence, expanded passenger facilities, and the opening of additional ticket counters at major railway hubs to reduce congestion.
Passengers are encouraged to verify their updated train schedules through official channels or the IRCTC portal before planning their festive journeys.