SER Adds Extra Coaches & Special Trains for Jharkhand Festive Rush
To accommodate the massive surge in passenger traffic and long waiting lists during the Durga Puja and upcoming festive season, South Eastern Railway (SER) has announced a significant boost to its services. With millions expected to travel, the railway is integrating additional coaches into several key express trains and launching multiple special services to ensure smoother journeys across Jharkhand and beyond.
Boosting Capacity with Extra Coaches
To tackle the heavy demand, several existing express services will feature extra coaches between October 19 and October 27, 2026. The following changes have been implemented:
- Shalimar-Mumbai LTT Kurla Express (18030): An extra 3AC coach will be attached.
- Rourkela-Jagdalpur Intercity Express (18107): An extra sleeper coach will be added on October 21, 22, 24, 25, and 26.
- Ranchi-Banaras Express (18611): An extra sleeper coach will be available on October 19 and 20.
- Howrah-Puri Superfast Express (12837): Will include an additional sleeper coach.
- Bhanjpur-Puri Express (18015): An extra three-tier sleeper coach will be attached from October 19 to 22.
Special Puja Trains and Seasonal Services
In addition to extra coaches, the Ranchi Railway Division has introduced several Puja Special services to manage the seasonal influx. These include:
- Ajmer-Ranchi Weekly Special (09619/09620)
- Ranchi-Anand Vihar Terminal Special (02877/02878)
- Ranchi-Alipurduar Weekly Special (08661/08662)
- Hatia-Bano Daily Unreserved Special (08631/08632): Operating until November 30.
- Dehri-Garhwa Road Passenger: Operational until October 20.
Nationally, the scale of operations is massive, with 3.4 lakh regular train trips scheduled between October 1 and November 30, 2026. As of mid-October, 8,454 special train trips have already been arranged to support travelers.
High Pressure at Ranchi Station and Enhanced Security
Ranchi station has become a major focal point of the festive rush, recording an intense 1.45 lakh passengers over just a two-day period. To manage this crowd and ensure passenger safety, Divisional Security Commissioner Ashish Pandey confirmed that 50 RPF personnel, supported by the RPSF, have been deployed. Security measures include:
- Station barricading to manage crowd flow.
- Strict baggage checks.
- Increased surveillance to monitor anti-social elements.
Important Notice for Passengers: Due to the heavy rush, platform ticket prices at Ranchi and Hatia stations have been increased from ₹10 to ₹20. This change is effective from October 10 to November 29, 2026.
Maintenance Alerts and Travel Advice
While most services are being enhanced, passengers should be aware of upcoming maintenance work. The Adra Division will undergo operational changes from October 22 to 25, which may lead to certain train cancellations or route diversions.
To avoid any inconvenience, travelers are strongly advised to check their train status in advance using the 139 helpline or the NTES app before heading to the station.