Indian Railways Unleashes 763 Puja Special Trains for Diwali & Chhath Festivities

As the vibrant festivals of Diwali and Chhath approach, bringing with them the joyous tradition of returning home, Indian Railways has stepped up its efforts to ensure a seamless and comfortable journey for millions. In a significant move to manage the anticipated festive rush, the national transporter has announced an impressive lineup of 763 special train trips, specifically dubbed 'Puja Special Trains'.

These additional services are poised to alleviate the usual passenger congestion, making festive travel less stressful and more enjoyable.

The extensive operation of these special trains is scheduled to commence on October 20 and will continue through the end of December. This strategic timeframe covers the peak travel periods for both Diwali, the festival of lights, and Chhath Puja, a revered harvest festival, ensuring that passengers have ample options to reach their hometowns and celebrate with their families.

These 763 special trips will primarily connect major metropolitan areas with key destinations, addressing the high demand on popular routes.

Passengers can expect improved connectivity on crucial corridors linking Delhi with states like Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, which traditionally experience a massive exodus during the festive season. Specific routes highlighted for enhanced service include vital links such as Delhi-Patna, Delhi-Bhagalpur, Delhi-Muzaffarpur, and Delhi-Saharsa.

Beyond these, the network will also extend its reach from other significant railway hubs including Mumbai, Pune, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru, Secunderabad, Hyderabad, Chandigarh, Ambala, and Howrah, connecting these cities to various parts of the country.

This initiative reflects Indian Railways' ongoing commitment to passenger convenience, particularly during times of peak demand.

While 2022 saw 212 special trains making 2,561 trips, this year's focus is clearly on a higher volume of individual trips to cater to a larger segment of travelers. The emphasis remains on providing adequate capacity and maintaining operational efficiency.

For those planning their festive journeys, it's important to note that bookings for these Puja special trains have already commenced.

Passengers are strongly advised to check the Indian Railways website or IRCTC portal for detailed schedules, routes, and ticket availability. Early booking is highly recommended given the high demand during this period. Indian Railways continues to monitor passenger traffic patterns to potentially introduce more services if required, ensuring that every effort is made to facilitate joyful reunions for families across the nation during this auspicious time.