Indian Railways to Operate 12,000 Special Trains for Diwali and Chhath Puja

Indian Railways to Run 12,000 Special Trains for Diwali and Chhath Festivals

Indian Railways (IR) has announced a major initiative to handle the massive festive rush of passengers during the upcoming Diwali and Chhath festivals. The national transporter will operate 12,000 special trains across the country to ensure that people can conveniently travel to their hometowns and back during the festive season. These trains are aimed at providing relief to passengers who are unable to secure seats or berths on regular trains, as demand typically surges ahead of such major festivals.

Ministerial Discussions and Announcement

The decision was made after Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw held detailed discussions with Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary, MP Dr. Sanjay Jaiswal, Union Minister Lallan Singh, and MP Sanjay Kumar Jha. These leaders highlighted the pressing need for additional trains to cater to the large number of people who travel to their native places during Diwali and Chhath.

While addressing the press, Minister Vaishnaw emphasized that special arrangements are being designed to ensure both onward and return journeys are convenient for passengers. He said, “It should also be kept in mind that our passengers should get convenience in the return journey.” Thus, the operation of 12,000 special trains was decided in consultation with public representatives.

Discount on Return Fares under ‘Round Trip Package’

Apart from additional trains, Indian Railways has also introduced a discount scheme under its ‘Round Trip Package’ to make festive travel more affordable. Launched earlier this month, this scheme offers fare concessions on return tickets when passengers book both onward and return journeys together. Importantly, the details of passengers in both directions must remain the same for the rebate to apply.

This measure is expected to benefit thousands of families who often face high travel costs during peak seasons. It also ensures that passengers secure confirmed seats for both journeys in one booking, reducing uncertainty and easing travel planning.

Record of Special Trains in Previous Years

Indian Railways has a long-standing practice of operating special trains during periods of high demand.

• In 2024 and 2025, around 13,500 special train trips per year were organized during Holi and the Summer vacation, accommodating the extra rush of travelers.

• During the period October 1 to November 30, 2024, to handle the Durga Puja, Diwali, and Chhath rush, IR operated 7,990 special trips, which together served approximately 1.8 crore passengers.

• Most recently, during the Maha Kumbh (January 13 – February 28, 2025), Indian Railways ran over 17,300 special trains to facilitate the travel of lakhs of pilgrims. These trains transported around 4.24 crore passengers, underlining IR’s capacity to manage large-scale passenger movement during major religious and cultural events.

Conclusion

The plan to operate 12,000 special trains for Diwali and Chhath demonstrates Indian Railways’ proactive approach to handling the seasonal surge in travel demand. By combining additional services with the new ‘Round Trip Package’ discount scheme, IR seeks not only to provide capacity but also to make festive travel more affordable and convenient.

This move highlights the Railways’ role as a lifeline for millions of Indians, ensuring smooth travel during peak festive times while addressing both logistical and economic concerns of passengers.