New Delhi, September 27 : In preparation for the massive rush of passengers during Diwali and Chhath Puja, the Indian Railways has announced the operation of more than 10,000 special trains. Additionally, the Railways has decided to increase the number of general coaches in over 100 trains. This move is expected to benefit around 10 million passengers. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw shared this information.
On Friday, Vaishnaw stated that special arrangements have been made for Diwali and Chhath Puja. To accommodate the increasing number of passengers, Indian Railways is adding general coaches to approximately 108 trains, ensuring more people can travel during the festive season.
He further mentioned that the Railways has approved the operation of 12,500 special trains during Diwali and Chhath Puja. In addition to this, 5,975 trains have been notified for 2024-2025. According to the Railways, these measures will allow over 10 million passengers to travel home during the holiday rush for Diwali and Chhath Puja. It’s worth noting that in 2023-2024, the number of special trains for festivals was 4,429.
On September 25, a special train service between Anand Vihar and Barauni was announced. This special train will operate from October 6 to November 17. It will be an AC special train, departing from Anand Vihar and reaching Barauni via Lucknow. The train will leave Anand Vihar at 9 AM and reach Barauni at 6:30 AM the next day. The AC special train will have stops at Aligarh, Tundla, Etawah, Kanpur, Lucknow, Sultanpur, Jaunpur, Ghazipur City, Ballia, Suremanpur, Chhapra, and Hajipur. The train will consist of 18 coaches, including 16 third-AC coaches and two power cars.
Every year, during Diwali and Chhath Puja, a large number of people from across the country travel to Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. For the people of UP and Bihar, these festivals hold not only religious significance but are also important occasions to reunite with their families. Due to the high demand, most train tickets go on the waiting list months in advance, making it challenging to secure a seat. The heavy crowds make travel during this period quite difficult.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.