Indian Railways To Launch 150 Special Trains For Festive Season Rush

As the country enters its peak festive season, Indian Railways is stepping up to meet the surge in travel demand with 150 special trains across key routes. Covering over 2,000 trips between September 21 and November 30, these trains aim to ease passenger rush during Durga Puja, Diwali, and Chhath Puja. From Delhi to Patna, Mumbai to Chennai, and Hyderabad to Gaya, this initiative ensures smoother journeys for travellers heading home or planning holiday getaways.

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Key Routes And Zones Covered:

The special trains will run on high-demand routes such as Delhi-Patna, Muzaffarpur, Gaya, and Darbhanga, ensuring smoother travel for passengers heading home for the holidays.

Zone-Wise Breakdown Of Special Train Services:

1. South Central Railway (SCR):

• 48 trains, completing 684 trips
• Major hubs: Hyderabad, Secunderabad, Vijayawada
• Highest number of services among all zones

2. East Central Railway (ECR):

• 14 trains, completing 588 trips
• Key destinations: Patna, Gaya, Darbhanga, Muzaffarpur
• Focused on managing heavy rush to Bihar

3. Western Railway:

• 24 trains, covering 204 trips
• Major cities: Mumbai, Surat, Vadodara

3. Southern Railway:

• 10 trains, completing 66 trips
• Routes from: Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai

4. Eastern Railway:

• 24 trains, covering 198 trips
• Stations include: Kolkata, Sealdah, Howrah
• East Coast Railway
• Routes via: Bhubaneswar, Puri, Sambalpur

5. South Eastern Railway:

• Routes via: Ranchi, Tatanagar

6. North Central Railway:

• Routes via: Prayagraj, Kanpur

7. Southeast Central Railway:

• Routes via: Bilaspur, Raipur

8. West Central Railway:

• Key stations: Bhopal, Kota
• Staggered Notification and Booking Advisory

According to an Indian Railways spokesperson, the calendar of special trains is being notified in a staggered fashion, based on demand and supply across key states. While 2,024 trips have been confirmed so far, more services may be added as the festive season progresses.

"We are updating the calendar on a regular basis after studying the demand and supply of train services in key States," the spokesperson stated.

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_{Photo Credit: Ajay Kumar Patel}

How To Book And Plan Your Journey:

Passengers can access the detailed calendar, including timings, routes, and stoppages, on the IRCTC website or at railway stations. To avoid last-minute hassles, Indian Railways has advised travellers to book tickets well in advance to secure confirmed reservations.

Also Read: Travelling This Festive Season? Here's How Indian Railways' New Scheme Can Save You Money

The Bottom Line:

With millions expected to travel across India during the festive season, these special trains are a welcome move to ease congestion and ensure smoother journeys. Whether you are heading home for Durga Puja or planning a Diwali getaway, now is the time to plan ahead and book smart.