Chennai to Bihar Special Trains Launched for Chhath Puja
Southern Railway launches special trains from Chennai and Podanur to Bihar to manage the Chhath Puja rush. Check schedules and routes here.
To accommodate the massive surge in passenger traffic during the upcoming Chhath Puja festival, Southern Railway has introduced three Chhath Puja special trains connecting Tamil Nadu with Bihar. With the festival scheduled to take place between November 13 and November 16, 2026, these additional services are designed to manage the holiday rush and ensure smoother travel for devotees.
Details of the New Special Express Services
The special services commenced operations on November 11, 2026, providing vital connectivity for passengers traveling from the southern states to the eastern regions. The new services include:
Chennai Central to Darbhanga Express Special
This service departed from Dr. MGR Chennai Central at 11:00 AM. It is scheduled to reach Darbhanga at 1:00 PM on the third day of its journey.
Chennai Central to Barauni One-Way Express Special
Departing from Dr. MGR Chennai Central at 11:50 PM on November 11, this one-way special is expected to arrive at Barauni at 8:00 PM on Friday.
Podanur to Raxaul One-Way Express Special
For passengers in the western parts of Tamil Nadu, the Podanur to Raxaul service departed at 8:20 PM on November 11. This train follows a route through several key stations, including:
- Coimbatore
- Tiruppur
- Erode
- Salem
- Katpadi
The train is scheduled to arrive in Raxaul at 12:00 PM on Saturday. These routes will traverse multiple states, including Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, West Bengal, and Jharkhand.
Diverse Accommodations and Facilities
To cater to a wide range of passengers, each of these special trains features a variety of coach classes. Travelers can choose from:
- AC 2-Tier
- AC 3-Tier
- Economy AC
- Sleeper Class
- General Second Class
Furthermore, the trains are equipped with facilities specifically designed to assist passengers with disabilities, ensuring inclusive travel during the festive season.
Part of a Massive National Festive Plan
The deployment of these Southern Railway services is part of a much larger national effort by Indian Railways. To facilitate the massive movement of people toward Bihar during the festive period, the railways have planned approximately 15,000 train services across the country.
Passengers are encouraged to confirm real-time schedules and ticket availability through the official IRCTC website or at local railway station counters before planning their journeys.