Indian Railways plans 8,454 festival special train trips for Puja, Diwali and Chhath

Indian Railways outlined special trips and additional capacity between October and November to handle seasonal crowds.

Published 15 October 2026 (IST); reporting and source material checked through 14 October 2026.

How big is the festive plan

For 1 October to 30 November 2026, Indian Railways outlined roughly 3.4 lakh regular train trips and 8,454 special train trips to handle travel during Durga Puja, Diwali and Chhath. The distinction between a train and a trip is important: a single named service can make multiple trips, and 8,454 does not mean 8,454 completely different train sets. Travel demand is particularly high on routes connecting major cities with Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and eastern India.

Where demand is concentrated

Reports indicate that Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Maharashtra and West Bengal will receive substantial special-service capacity. The plans also mention additional coaches and specific Puja-related services in West Bengal. Route-by-route dates are not interchangeable: a special train operating on one corridor does not create a seat on another. Passengers should check the exact train number, station, operating date and quota before paying for a ticket.

What passengers need to check

A headline about total trips is useful context but not a journey planner. People should verify availability on the railway reservation system and look for notices from the relevant zonal railway. Ticket availability, stoppages, departure time and even an announced timetable can change. Where extra services use a different fare structure, that needs to be checked before booking.

Crowd management beyond adding trains

Special services are only one part of managing the rush. Stations may need better queue arrangements, holding areas, medical assistance, extra counters and security. Railway authorities have described such preparations in busy eastern divisions. The objective is not merely to move more trains, but to prevent unsafe crowding at entrances, platforms and interchange points.

Sources and documentation

This report is based on the following publicly available documents and reporting. Claims have been attributed where independent verification is incomplete.

Frequently asked questions

How many festival special trips were announced?

Reports described 8,454 special train trips for the October–November window.

Does 8,454 mean separate trains?

No. Trips count journeys; an individual service can make more than one trip.

Which festivals are covered?

Durga Puja, Diwali and Chhath are among the main travel peaks.

What date window was described?

October 1 through November 30, 2026.

Where can travelers confirm actual seats?

Use the relevant railway reservation portal and zonal railway notices.