Puri Rath Yatra 2026: Here is the Railways' 'Plan B' if the 116 trains prove insufficient..

Indian Railways has made extensive arrangements to streamline traffic in anticipation of the massive influx of devotees during the world-famous Jagannath Puri Rath Yatra and other upcoming major festivals. In a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw stated that a total of 116 regular train services are currently operational for Puri.

Responding to a question from Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MP Subashish Khuntia, the Railway Minister noted that premium trains—such as Vande Bharat, Shatabdi, Duronto, Garib Rath, and Superfast Express—are regularly operated to connect Puri with major cities across the country, including Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, and Guwahati. He added that special trains would also be run for the convenience of passengers if the need arises. The Minister informed that arrangements have been made for over 1,150 train trips—including special services—to facilitate travel to Puri during the 14-day Rath Yatra period (July 15 to July 28) in 2026.

**Puri Connected from Every Corner of the Country via 116 Trains**
According to data released by the Railways, the 116 regular trains operating to Puri on daily and weekly bases include several high-speed and premium trains. Additionally, passenger and MEMU (Mainline Electric Multiple Unit) trains are also in operation. Recognizing the sharp surge in demand, the Railways is not limiting itself to regular trains but is also running special trains on a large scale. Data shared in Parliament indicates that over 1,075 special train trips were operated during the Rath Yatra festival over the past four years (2022–2025).

**Other Measures Taken by Railways to Facilitate Passengers**
The Ministry of Railways has also clarified that it employs three key measures as part of an ongoing process to manage the growing number of pilgrims and passengers. It stated that additional special trains are promptly deployed based on demand during festivals and peak travel seasons. Additionally, the frequency of trains operating on high-demand routes is increased. Passenger capacity is enhanced by attaching extra sleeper and AC coaches to regular trains.

The Railway Minister assured that Indian Railways is fully prepared to provide the best possible travel experience to pilgrims visiting Puri, while taking into account commercial viability, operational feasibility, and resource availability.

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