Indian Railways to Operate 6,556 Special Trains for Durga Puja, Diwali, and Chhath Puja
Indian Railways has announced the operation of 6,556 special trains to accommodate travelers during the festive seasons of Durga Puja, Diwali, and Chhath Puja, running from October 1 to November 30, 2024. This initiative, aimed at ensuring smooth travel for millions of passengers, reflects a significant increase in the number of special trains compared to previous years.
Each year, the festive seasons witness a surge in rail travel as millions journey across the country, particularly to states like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar for these important cultural and religious celebrations. In response to the high demand, Indian Railways is dedicated to facilitating a comfortable travel experience.
In 2023, the railways operated 4,429 special trains during the festival season. This year, the increase to 6,556 special trains underscores Indian Railways’ commitment to serving passengers effectively. Many trains see their tickets booked well in advance, often leading to waiting lists, especially during peak travel periods.
The Northern Railway, in collaboration with other zones, will contribute significantly by operating 2,944 festival special trains this year—an approximate 172% increase from the 1,082 special trains run during the same period last year. A notable 83% of these special trains will cater to passengers heading east, specifically to popular destinations such as Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Assam.
Key cities served by these special trains from the National Capital Region include Barauni, Samastipur, Saharsa, Varanasi, Ayodhya, Gorakhpur, Patna, Kolkata, and Guwahati.
In addition to the special trains, Northern Railway plans to enhance the capacity of regular scheduled trains by adding extra coaches to accommodate even more passengers during this festive season.
With these efforts, Indian Railways aims to ensure that all travelers can reunite with their families and celebrate the festive season comfortably and conveniently
