Diwali, Chhath special trains: Railways notify 8,454 trips; Bihar gets most
Representative image: antriksh / Pixabay
Indian Railways has notified 8,454 special train trips for October 1 to November 30, 2026, for Durga Puja, Diwali and Chhath; Bihar gets 2,057.
What Happened
Indian Railways has notified 8,454 special train trips for the festive season of Durga Puja, Diwali and Chhath Puja, running from October 1 to November 30, 2026, according to reports in mid-October 2026. The special trips come on top of about 3.4 lakh regular train trips planned for the same two months. Bihar has the largest share of special trips, followed by Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Maharashtra and West Bengal, reflecting the huge numbers of people who travel home for Diwali and Chhath. More pairs of special trains have been added by railway zones since the plan was first reported.
Key Facts
- Special trips: 8,454 notified for October 1 to November 30, 2026, according to reports.
- Regular trips: about 3.4 lakh in the same period, more than 16,000 above last year's roughly 3.3 lakh, reports say.
- By state: Bihar 2,057 special trips, Uttar Pradesh 1,056, Delhi 975, Maharashtra 836 and West Bengal 464.
- Later additions: East Central Railway added 11 pairs of special trains linking Bihar with major cities, and South Eastern Railway added two pairs from its Chakradharpur division, reports said.
- Extra capacity: 412 additional coaches attached to existing trains, according to reports.
- Fares: special trains in the "0-series" carry higher fares, roughly 10% more for second class and about 30% more for sleeper and AC classes, and concessions do not apply, reports say.
- Notable service: a tri-weekly New Delhi-Patna Vande Bharat festival special is among the additions.
Why It Matters
Diwali and Chhath are the busiest travel season on Indian Railways. Millions of workers who live in big cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Surat and Kolkata travel home to Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand and West Bengal, often booking months ahead and still struggling to find confirmed seats. Chhath, a festival of great importance in Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh, falls a few days after Diwali, so demand stays high for weeks. Special trains are the railways' main tool to add seats when regular trains are full.
The state-wise numbers show where the pressure is greatest. Bihar alone accounts for about a quarter of all special trips, a sign of how many people from the state work elsewhere in India. Delhi and Maharashtra, home to large migrant workforces, are major starting points.
For travellers, the details matter as much as the totals. Special trains usually run with their own numbers, often starting with 0, and charge higher fares than regular trains. Because concessions do not apply, senior citizens and others who usually get discounts pay the full special fare. Many of these trains are announced at short notice, so passengers need to check the railways' official booking channels often. Overcrowding at major stations is also a safety concern; reports say temporary waiting areas will be set up at 15 major stations from November 3.
Most of the figures come from railway announcements reported by travel and news sites; passengers should rely on official railway enquiry and booking services for exact train numbers, timings and fares.
Impact
Short-term: More seats and trains should ease, but not end, the festive rush. Travellers can find additional options on busy routes to Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal, but at higher special fares.
Long-term: The scale of festive demand every year adds to the case for more regular capacity on routes connecting big cities with eastern India, rather than relying on seasonal specials.
Who is affected: migrant workers and families travelling home for Diwali and Chhath; passengers from Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Maharashtra and West Bengal; railway staff managing crowds; and stations handling peak footfall.
Key Takeaway
Indian Railways has notified 8,454 special train trips for October 1 to November 30, 2026, with Bihar getting the most, to handle the Durga Puja, Diwali and Chhath rush, though special trains carry higher fares and no concessions.
Questions and Answers
How many special trains are running for Diwali and Chhath 2026?
Indian Railways has notified 8,454 special train trips for October 1 to November 30, 2026, covering Durga Puja, Diwali and Chhath Puja, according to reports.
Which states get the most festive special trains?
Bihar has the most, with 2,057 special trips, followed by Uttar Pradesh with 1,056, Delhi with 975, Maharashtra with 836 and West Bengal with 464.
Are fares higher on festive special trains?
Yes. Special trains in the 0-series charge about 10% more for second class and about 30% more for sleeper and AC classes, and concessions do not apply, reports say.
How can I book a festive special train?
Check Indian Railways' official enquiry and booking channels for train numbers, timings and fares, as many special trains are added at short notice.
Disclaimer: Prepared by the Peepals newsroom from publicly available sources with AI assistance. Information is accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication and may change. Images may be representative. Not professional advice. Report an error via our contact page.
Sourced and fact-checked by the Peepals Global Editorial Team
Reported, fact-checked and published by the Peepals Global Editorial Team.
