Western Railway Launches Special Trains for Diwali & Chhath Puja
Western Railway introduces Bandra-Khatipura and Udhna-Barauni special trains to manage the heavy festive rush during Diwali and Chhath Puja.
To tackle the massive surge in passenger numbers during the upcoming festive season, Western Railway has announced the introduction of new special train services. These additional services are specifically designed to provide relief to commuters traveling for the Diwali and Chhath Puja celebrations.
New Special Train Services and Schedules
The railway administration has introduced two key special services to cater to the high demand on popular routes:
- Bandra-Khatipura Special: This service is scheduled to begin its journey on November 12, 2026, and will operate two trips.
- Udhna-Barauni Special: Starting from November 10, 2026, this train will also complete two trips to assist passengers in reaching their destinations.
Managing Massive Passenger Influx
The necessity for these special services is highlighted by recent travel statistics. Within just the first six days of November 2026, the Ahmedabad Division recorded a staggering 8.20 lakh passengers passing through its stations.
To manage this immense load, Western Railway is running a total of 73 special train trips from the Ahmedabad Division throughout the month. These services are set to connect travelers to various destinations across Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra.
Enhanced Passenger Amenities and Safety Measures
With the expected rush, authorities have implemented several measures at major railway hubs, including Ahmedabad and Sabarmati, to ensure passenger comfort and safety. Key initiatives include:
- Crowd Management: The establishment of dedicated holding areas equipped with seating, proper lighting, fans, and drinking water facilities.
- Staff Deployment: Extra personnel have been stationed to assist passengers, alongside increased cleaning staff to maintain hygiene.
- Passenger Support: Food packets and water are being distributed to passengers traveling in general-class coaches to ease their journey.
Passengers are strongly advised to verify specific coach compositions, departure timings, and seat availability through the official IRCTC website or the Indian Railways enquiry portal before planning their travel.