West Central Railway Launches 24 Special Trains for Diwali Rush
West Central Railway's Bhopal Division launches 24 special trains to manage Diwali and Chhath Puja rush to Danapur, Gorakhpur, and Mumbai.
To manage the massive influx of passengers during the upcoming Diwali and Chhath Puja festivities, the Bhopal Division of West Central Railway has announced the operation of 24 special trains. These services are scheduled to run throughout November 2026 to alleviate the heavy festive rush.
Enhanced Connectivity for Festive Travelers
The new schedule includes 12 pairs of special services designed to connect key regional hubs with major destinations across the country. Passengers traveling from stations such as Bhopal, Rani Kamalapati, Itarsi, Bina, and Guna will benefit from improved connectivity to cities including Danapur, Gorakhpur, Banaras, Rewa, Pune, and Mumbai.
Some of the notable special trains being operated include:
- Rani Kamalapati–Danapur Special: 01667/01668
- Rani Kamalapati–Rewa Special: 02191/02192
- Rani Kamalapati–Gorakhpur Special: 01663/01664
High-Tech Security and Crowd Management
Recognizing the extreme crowds at major stations like Bhopal and Rani Kamalapati, railway authorities have implemented advanced security measures. To ensure passenger safety and deter criminal activity, the following infrastructure has been deployed:
- AI-Based Surveillance: 13 AI-powered cameras are now active to monitor passenger movement.
- Face Recognition: 5 specialized face-recognition cameras have been installed.
- Increased Personnel: A significant boost in the deployment of the Railway Protection Force (RPF) and Government Railway Police (GRP).
Passengers are strongly advised to use organized entry and exit points to maintain order and ensure personal safety during the peak festive period.
Traveler Advice and Assistance
With regular services facing long waiting lists, officials recommend that travelers plan their journeys well in advance. To make the process smoother, passengers can utilize Automatic Ticket Vending Machines (ATVMs) for quick ticketing.
For any immediate assistance or queries, travelers can contact the official Railway Helpline at 139.