Vande Bharat Specials: New Delhi to Patna for Diwali 2026
Northern Railway launches Vande Bharat festival specials between New Delhi and Patna with 20-coach rakes for Diwali and Chhath Puja travel.
Northern Railway has announced the deployment of Vande Bharat festival special trains to manage the massive influx of passengers traveling between New Delhi and Patna during the Diwali and Chhath Puja festivities. These premium services are designed to provide enhanced connectivity and capacity for travelers heading home for the holidays.
Enhanced Capacity with 20-Coach Rakes
To address the high demand for confirmed seating during the festive season, the railway administration has implemented a significant upgrade. While many Vande Bharat rakes typically operate with 16 coaches, several of these festival special services will now feature 20 coaches, allowing more passengers to secure their travel plans.
Key services include Train No. 02258, which is scheduled to depart from New Delhi to Patna on November 11, 2026, and Train No. 02257, running from Patna to New Delhi on November 12, 2026. Furthermore, several other special series will be operational throughout the festive period, including:
- 02252/02251
- 02254/02253
- 02436/02435
Route Details and Travel Duration
The Vande Bharat festival specials offer a fast and efficient way to travel, with the total journey time between New Delhi and Patna taking approximately 13 hours and 30 minutes. These trains will provide service to several important stations along the route, including:
- Aligarh
- Kanpur
- Prayagraj
- Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction
- Buxar
- Ara
Important Travel Advisory
These services are part of a much larger operation involving thousands of special train trips to facilitate travel for the Chhath Puja festival. Because specific operating dates for each train number may vary, passengers are strongly advised to verify real-time schedules, seat availability, and booking status through the official IRCTC portal or the National Train Enquiry System (NTES) prior to their journey.