Western Central Railway launches 34 additional special trains for festive season

To accommodate the surge in passenger traffic during the upcoming festive season, including Durga Puja, Diwali, and Chhath Puja, Western Central Railway has announced the launch of 34 additional special train services. This expansion brings the total number of special train services operated by the zone for the festive period to 100. Passengers planning to travel during these busy months can now look forward to better connectivity and more seat availability across major routes.

Among the key services introduced is the bi-weekly Rani Kamalapati-Danapur-Rani Kamalapati train, designated as service numbers 01667 and 01668. This service is scheduled to run from October 12 to November 16, 2026. Train 01667 will depart from Rani Kamalapati on Mondays and Fridays at 14:25, while train 01668 will depart from Danapur on Tuesdays and Saturdays at 11:20. These trains will be composed of 24 ICF coaches. Additional operations, including services between Sogaria and Danapur, have also been confirmed to manage the increased volume efficiently.

Ticketing and Nationwide Festive Operations

Passengers are encouraged to access specific timetables and status updates via the NTES app. While advance reservations for these services are generally available through the IRCTC website and mobile application up to 60 days in advance, some '0-series' special trains may feature booking windows opening between 10 and 30 days prior to departure. Booking for various extended services commenced on September 1, 2026. Nationwide, Indian Railways is implementing a broader strategy to connect major cities across states such as Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Assam, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh, with over 100 special trains planned.

Northern and North Central Railway zones have also approved additional festival specials, including routes connecting Delhi-Howrah, Anand Vihar-Bhagalpur, Rishikesh-Kolkata, Amritsar-Kolkata, and Amritsar-Barauni. To facilitate smooth ticket booking and prevent unauthorized access, IRCTC has deployed server upgrades and anti-bot technology. Meanwhile, Western Central Railway noted that some operations may be adjusted due to ongoing third-rail line connection work between Bina and Agasod stations.