Indian Railways Extends Special Train Services to Meet Rising Passenger Demand
In a major relief for passengers travelling between Delhi and several destinations in Bihar and Jharkhand, Indian Railways has announced the extension of the operation of multiple special trains to accommodate the continued surge in passenger traffic. The extended services will continue with their existing schedules, stoppages, timings, routes, rake composition, and days of operation, ensuring uninterrupted travel for thousands of commuters during the peak travel period.
According to the Railway administration, the decision has been taken to ease congestion and provide additional seating capacity on heavily patronized routes connecting the national capital with key cities such as Barauni, Darbhanga, Danapur, Muzaffarpur, Dhanbad, Sheikhpura, Purnia Court, and Saharsa.
Among the major extensions, Train No. 02563 Barauni Junction–New Delhi Special will continue to operate daily from July 16 to July 31, 2026, completing 16 additional trips. Its return service, Train No. 02564 New Delhi–Barauni Junction Special, will run daily from July 17 to August 1, 2026, also making 16 additional trips.
Similarly, the 02569 Darbhanga–New Delhi Special has been extended for 16 daily trips between July 16 and July 31, while the return 02570 New Delhi–Darbhanga Special will operate from July 17 to August 1, providing another 16 trips.
Passengers travelling between Danapur and the National Capital Region will also benefit from the extension of Train No. 03257 Danapur–Anand Vihar Terminal Special, which will run on Sundays on July 19 and July 26, while the return 03258 Anand Vihar Terminal–Danapur Special will operate on Mondays, July 20 and July 27, completing two additional trips in each direction.
For travellers from North Bihar, Train No. 05219 Muzaffarpur–Anand Vihar Terminal Special will continue operating on Fridays on July 17, July 24, and July 31, with the return 05220 Anand Vihar Terminal–Muzaffarpur Special running on Saturdays on July 18, July 25, and August 1. Each service has been extended for three additional trips.
The Railways has also extended services between Jharkhand and Delhi. Train No. 03639 Dhanbad Junction–Shakurbasti Special will operate on Mondays and Fridays until July 31, while 03640 Shakurbasti–Dhanbad Junction Special will run on Tuesdays and Saturdays until August 1, with five additional trips in each direction.
Passengers from Sheikhpura will have two sets of extended services. The weekly 02397 Sheikhpura–Anand Vihar Terminal Special will run on Sundays, July 19 and July 26, while the return 02398 Anand Vihar Terminal–Sheikhpura Special will operate on Mondays, July 20 and July 27, providing two extra trips.
In addition, the more frequent 03697 Sheikhpura–Anand Vihar Terminal Special has been extended for nine additional trips, operating on Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays between July 17 and July 31. The corresponding 03698 Anand Vihar Terminal–Sheikhpura Special will also make nine trips, running on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays until August 1.
The extension also covers services for eastern Bihar. Train No. 05579 Purnia Court–Anand Vihar Terminal Special will operate on Fridays and Sundays, completing three additional trips up to July 31, while 05580 Anand Vihar Terminal–Purnia Court Special will run on Sundays and Tuesdays until August 2, also with three additional trips.
Meanwhile, passengers travelling between Saharsa and Delhi will get one more opportunity to travel through the extended 05575 Saharsa–Anand Vihar Terminal Special, which will run on July 28, while the return 05576 Anand Vihar Terminal–Saharsa Special will operate on July 30, providing one additional trip in each direction.
Railway officials stated that all these special trains will continue to operate with no changes in their existing timings, stoppages, routes, days of operation, or coach composition. The extension has been planned to handle the sustained increase in passenger demand and ensure smoother travel during the busy season.
Passengers are advised to check the latest train schedules and reservation status before commencing their journey and make bookings well in advance due to the expected high demand on these routes.
