Rajasthan to UP & Bihar: Special Festive Trains Announced
Indian Railways has announced a massive expansion of train services to facilitate smooth travel for passengers traveling from Rajasthan to Uttar Pradesh and Bihar during the 2026 festive season. With the upcoming celebrations of Diwali and Chhath Puja, the national carrier is ramping up its capacity to manage the expected surge in passenger volume.
A Massive Boost in Train Capacity
To accommodate the heavy rush, Indian Railways has planned approximately 3.4 lakh regular train trips between October 1 and November 30, 2026. Furthermore, 8,454 special train trips have been officially notified to ensure that travelers can reach their destinations without excessive delays or overcrowding. These special services, which began operations as early as October 2, 2026, are designed to support the peak travel periods throughout the months of October and November.
North Western Railway's Special Arrangements
The North Western Railway (NWR) is spearheading the regional efforts to manage this festive demand. Key highlights of the NWR's plan include:
- Special Train Pairs: The NWR is operating 38 pairs of special trains, which amounts to 824 total trips.
- Extra Coaches: To provide more seating and berth availability, 150 extra coaches have been added to 48 regular train services.
Important Dates and Specific Train Routes
The special services are timed to support the major festivals of the season. Travelers should keep the following dates in mind:
- Diwali: Celebrated on November 8, 2026.
- Chhath Puja: Observed from November 13 to November 16, 2026.
Several specific routes have been enhanced or extended to provide better connectivity between the states:
- The Prayagraj-Sikar weekly special has been extended until November 30, 2026.
- The Shri Ganganagar-Samastipur special train will operate from October 18 to November 29, 2026.
- Expanded services are also available on the Madar-Patna and Prayagraj-Sabarmati routes.
Other railway zones, including the West Central Railway and Northern Railway, are coordinating closely with the NWR to ensure operational efficiency across the entire network.
How to Secure Your Tickets
Passengers are encouraged to plan their journeys in advance to avoid the last-minute rush. Bookings for several of these festive services opened as early as September 6, 2026. You can secure your tickets through the following channels:
- The official IRCTC website.
- The IRCTC Rail Connect mobile application.
- Designated railway station reservation counters.