Indian Railways to Run 12,000+ Festival Special Trains for Diwali and Chhath: Routes, Schedule and Booking
IAs the festive season approaches, the Indian Railways has announced a massive plan to ease travel for millions of passengers. Every year, the demand for train tickets spikes during Diwali, Chhath Puja, and Durga Puja, making it nearly impossible to get confirmed seats on popular routes. From Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal to metro cities like Delhi and Mumbai, the pressure on the railway network increases several times during this period.
This year, to tackle the festive rush, the Railways has rolled out a record number of special trains, ensuring that passengers can travel home to celebrate with their families without the stress of unavailability.
Over 12,000 Special Trains Planned
Union Railways Minister has confirmed that between September 21 and November 30, 2025, more than 12,000 festival special train services will be operated across the country. In the first phase alone, around 150 special trains will begin service, with more being added depending on passenger demand.
Zone-Wise Train Deployment
The plan has been divided zone-wise to cover maximum regions and cater to passengers traveling long distances.
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South Central Railway – This zone will operate the highest number of special trains, catering to heavy festive traffic from southern India.
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East Central Railway (Bihar routes) – To serve the huge passenger base in Bihar, 14 festival specials have been announced, covering key cities like Patna, Gaya, Darbhanga, and Muzaffarpur. Together, these trains will complete 588 trips during the season.
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Eastern Railway (Kolkata routes) – The zone has planned 24 special trains on the busy Kolkata, Sealdah, and Howrah routes, providing nearly 198 additional trips.
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Western Railway (Mumbai and Gujarat) – With a large number of migrants traveling from Mumbai, Surat, and Vadodara to their hometowns, Western Railway will run 24 festival specials, helping ease ticket scarcity.
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Southern Railway – To cater to demand in Tamil Nadu and neighboring regions, special trains will operate from Chennai, Coimbatore, and Madurai, covering 66 trips.
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East Coast and South Eastern Railway – Additional trains will run on routes connecting Bhubaneswar, Puri, Sambalpur, Ranchi, and Tatanagar, offering relief to passengers in Odisha and Jharkhand.
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North Central Railway – Key cities like Prayagraj and Kanpur will get special services, while Bilaspur, Raipur, Bhopal, and Kota will also see dedicated trains to handle festive crowds.
Officials have clarified that this is only the first phase, and more services will be announced as required.
Ticket Booking Process
A common concern for travelers is whether booking for festival specials follows a separate process. The Railways has confirmed that the booking system remains the same as regular trains. Passengers can reserve their tickets through:
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IRCTC website or mobile app
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Reservation counters at railway stations
Tatkal and general booking rules will also apply, making it easier for passengers to plan their journeys in advance.
Relief for Passengers in Bihar and Eastern India
The largest beneficiary of these additional services will be passengers traveling to and from Bihar, Jharkhand, and eastern states, where demand is typically the highest during Chhath and Diwali. In past years, passengers struggled with last-minute booking and soaring demand on popular routes, but with these additional trains, availability is expected to improve significantly.
Final Word
The Indian Railways’ move to run 12,000+ special trains across the country highlights its commitment to ensuring smoother festive travel. With multiple zones coordinating services and extra trains planned on high-demand routes, passengers can expect greater convenience this year.
Those planning to travel home for Diwali, Durga Puja, or Chhath are advised to book tickets early to avoid last-minute rush and take full advantage of the expanded network.
