Indian Railways Announces 31 Special Trains from Delhi Amid Chhath Puja Rush; Bihar and UP Passengers Get Relief

According to Northern Railway, special train operations have been arranged from several major railway stations in and around Delhi. The move comes at a time when thousands of passengers are heading towards their native places to celebrate the festival with their families. Chhath Puja is widely celebrated in Bihar, eastern Uttar Pradesh and neighbouring regions. Every year, the festival leads to a sharp increase in railway bookings and heavy crowds at major stations, particularly in Delhi, where a large number of people from these states live and work.

Six railway stations in Delhi region included

The special train arrangements cover six important stations: Anand Vihar Terminal, New Delhi, Shakur Basti, Delhi Junction, Hazrat Nizamuddin and Rohtak. A station-wise breakdown mentioned in the Northern Railway release lists 27 services, including nine from Anand Vihar Terminal, six from New Delhi, five from Shakur Basti, three each from Delhi Junction and Hazrat Nizamuddin, and one from Rohtak. However, the railway's separate announcement mentions 31 trains scheduled for November 11. The available station-wise breakdown does not account for all 31 services, so passengers should check the individual train details before travelling.

Why has Indian Railways arranged additional trains?

The rush is largely linked to the festive travel season following Diwali and ahead of Chhath Puja. Many people working in Delhi and nearby areas travel to Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh to take part in family celebrations and religious rituals. The increased demand puts pressure on regular trains, especially those operating towards eastern India. Waiting lists become longer, general compartments get crowded and passengers often face difficulties finding confirmed tickets. By introducing additional services, the railway administration aims to provide more travel options and manage the growing number of passengers at major stations. Northern Railway has also indicated that it is monitoring passenger movement and may arrange further special trains depending on demand.

Apart from the Delhi-region services, another special train has been reported for passengers travelling between Chandigarh and Bihar. Train number 04538, operating between Chandigarh and Barauni, was scheduled to depart Chandigarh at 10 PM on November 10 and reach Barauni at 3:30 AM on November 11. Its return service, train number 04537, was scheduled to leave Barauni at 6:30 AM on November 12 for Chandigarh.

Railway Minister reviews passenger arrangements at New Delhi station

The government has also stepped up efforts to manage the festive rush at major railway stations. According to a Ministry of Railways announcement released through the Press Information Bureau on November 6, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw visited New Delhi Railway Station to review passenger facilities and security arrangements.

The government reported that passenger footfall across the Delhi railway area, which normally stands at around five lakh per day, had increased to approximately eight lakh during November 1–5. Passenger movement between October 1 and November 5 was reported at around two crore.

To manage the rush, railway authorities have introduced several measures, including separate waiting areas for passengers with reserved and unreserved tickets, improved luggage screening, additional ticketing arrangements and better access to drinking water and washroom facilities. Security has also been strengthened through the deployment of Railway Protection Force personnel and the installation of more than 700 additional AI-enabled cameras for monitoring. These arrangements are intended to reduce congestion and help passengers move through stations more safely during the busy festival period.

How can passengers check special train timings?

Passengers planning to travel during the Chhath Puja period should check their train number, departure time, boarding station and ticket status before leaving home. The National Train Enquiry System (NTES) provides information about train schedules and running status. Tickets can be booked through the official IRCTC website, while railway-related complaints and assistance are available through Rail Madad. Passengers can also contact railway enquiry services by calling 139.

The announcement of additional trains is expected to provide some relief to passengers travelling from Delhi towards Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh during the Chhath Puja period. With railway stations witnessing heavy crowds, the additional services and improved passenger facilities are important steps towards managing the festive rush.

However, passengers should not assume that every special train will operate on the same route or stop at the same stations. Checking official railway announcements and train information before departure.