SER Announces Special Trains for Diwali & Chhath Puja
South Eastern Railway announces four pairs of special trains for Diwali and Chhath Puja, including Tatanagar-Labha and Shalimar-Darbhanga routes.
To manage the massive influx of passengers during the upcoming festive season, South Eastern Railway has announced the operation of several special trains. These services are specifically designed to accommodate the heavy rush expected during the celebrations of Diwali and Chhath Puja.
New Festive Train Routes Announced
The railway administration has introduced four pairs of special trains to connect key regions and provide relief to commuters. The newly announced services include:
- Tatanagar–Labha Special
- Shalimar–Darbhanga Special
- Rourkela–Jhanjharpur Special
- Ranchi–Purnia Court Special
Tatanagar-Labha Schedule Details
The Tatanagar-Labha special train will play a significant role in festive connectivity. It is scheduled to operate from November 5 to November 19, 2026, departing from Tatanagar every Thursday. The return service from Labha will run from November 6 to November 20, 2026, every Friday.
Extended Services and Nationwide Festive Plan
In addition to these new pairs, South Eastern Railway has extended the operational period for six other special trains. These extended services will run from November through December to provide continued assistance to travelers during the peak period.
This move is part of a broader nationwide initiative by Indian Railways to manage the surge in demand. Other railway zones have also significantly increased their service offerings:
- Northern Railway: Has planned over 6,200 special trips, marking a 30% increase compared to the previous year.
- North Central Railway: Has added more than 1,000 special services.
- Central Railway: Has introduced over 418 special services.
Furthermore, Indian Railways has introduced five new train services effective from October 31, 2026. This includes three additional pairs of Puja special trains to facilitate holiday travel on the following routes:
- Anand Vihar–Chhapra
- Mau–Anand Vihar
- Gorakhpur–Bandra