Indian Railways is preparing to manage the expected rise in passenger traffic during the 2026 festive season by increasing train services and introducing additional special trains. From October 1 to November 30, the national transporter plans to operate 3.4 lakh regular train trips, compared with 3.3 lakh trips during the same period last year.
By October 13, a total of 8,454 special train trips had also been scheduled to accommodate passengers travelling during Durga Puja, Diwali and Chhath Puja.
More Regular and Special Trains for Festival Travel
According to the Ministry of Railways, the regular timetable will remain the mainstay of the festive travel arrangements. More than 16,000 additional regular service trips are planned compared with the previous year, reflecting the normalisation of special services and the introduction of new train operations.
Among the states expected to receive additional regular services, Uttar Pradesh has more than 37,000 planned trips, Bihar has over 31,000, and West Bengal has more than 27,000.
The Railways is also arranging special trains to West Bengal and other destinations in eastern India to manage the passenger rush during Durga Puja. These services are scheduled to begin between October 13 and October 20, 2026, providing travellers with more options during the festive period.
Special Train Services to West Bengal and Eastern India
The planned services will connect important railway stations across West Bengal, including Howrah, Kolkata, Sealdah, Santragachi, Shalimar, Malda Town and Asansol. New Jalpaiguri and other destinations in the eastern region will also be covered by the arrangements.
According to the plan, 27 special trains are scheduled from the Northern Railway region, 14 from the Southern region and eight from the Western region for services to West Bengal.
These additional services are intended to provide more travel options on routes experiencing high demand during the festive season.
Bihar Leads in Planned Festival Special Train Trips
Bihar accounts for the highest number of planned special train trips, followed by Uttar Pradesh and other major travel destinations.
The planned distribution of special train trips is as follows:
- Bihar: 2,057 trips
- Uttar Pradesh: 1,056 trips
- Delhi: 975 trips
- Maharashtra: 836 trips
- West Bengal: 464 trips
The Railways may introduce further special services depending on passenger demand and operational requirements. Additional trains are being planned to supplement regular services on selected routes and dates.
412 Additional Coaches Added to Increase Capacity
Alongside the introduction of special trains, Indian Railways has increased seating capacity on existing services. A total of 412 additional coaches have been added compared with the previous year, including 75 General Class coaches.
The additional coaches and special services are intended to help accommodate the increased number of passengers travelling during Durga Puja, Diwali and Chhath Puja.
Disclaimer: This article is intended for general informational purposes only. Train schedules, special service numbers, routes and coach arrangements may change depending on operational requirements and passenger demand. Travellers should check the latest announcements and train details through official Indian Railways channels before planning their journeys.