Indian Railways Boosts Special Train Services for Chhath Puja, Adding One Hundred Eighty Extra Trains for Smoother Travel. All You Need to Know

Published on October 22, 2025

As Chhath Puja 2025 approaches, Indian Railways is preparing to handle a significant increase in passenger traffic. From October 1 to November 30, 2025, the rail network will operate over 12,000 special trains across the country to accommodate the surge in demand. This increase in services is particularly critical for travelers going home for Chhath Puja and those returning after Diwali. Specifically, the North Eastern Railway (NER) has announced it will introduce 186 additional special trains to ensure smooth travel and maintain better service levels during the festival.

Managing the Surge in Festival Travel Demand

Chhath Puja is one of the largest festivals in India, with a particularly high number of travelers from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. Millions of people travel to their hometowns to celebrate this religious occasion, and many return after Diwali, which puts immense pressure on transportation systems. The increased passenger load creates a challenge for Indian Railways, which is making proactive adjustments to ensure that travelers can move efficiently and reach their destinations on time. The North Eastern Railway (NER) has been tasked with managing this increase in passengers, deploying 186 additional special trains to help handle the surge.

Improving Passenger Comfort and Convenience

Understanding the pressure this peak season places on the system, NER is taking extensive measures to ensure passengers travel comfortably. With the influx of travelers, particularly from regions like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, NER has implemented several adjustments to ease congestion. Among the most significant of these measures is the introduction of 59 special trains from Gorakhpur, which is one of the busiest railway stations in the region. This additional capacity is aimed at alleviating pressure on existing routes and improving the travel experience for those relying on Indian Railways to return home for Chhath Puja. By introducing these extra trains, NER is working to minimize delays and ensure a smoother journey for all passengers.

Efficient Management of Increased Passenger Volume

To cope with the increased volume of passengers, NER has taken further steps to enhance station efficiency. At key stations, especially in Gorakhpur, temporary ticket counters and digital display boards have been set up to help streamline passenger services. These upgrades are designed to reduce waiting times and facilitate smoother operations during a period when every minute counts for travelers. Additionally, NER has heightened its security and crowd control measures at busy terminals, ensuring passengers’ safety while also making it easier for them to board trains even during the busiest days of the festival season.

Widespread National Efforts to Manage the Festival Rush

At a national level, Indian Railways is taking significant action to manage the increased passenger numbers during the Chhath Puja and Diwali periods. Over 12,000 special trains will be operational between October 1 and November 30, 2025, ensuring a smooth travel experience for millions. Indian Railways has already scheduled 11,865 trips across 916 special trains, which include both 9,338 reserved services and 2,203 unreserved services. This represents a significant increase compared to the 7,724 special trains operated during the same period in the previous year, underscoring the expansion of services to meet the growing demand.

Furthermore, to handle the surge, Indian Railways will introduce an additional 1,500 special trains over the next few days, equating to around 300 special services daily. These additional trains will allow more travelers to secure a seat, reducing overcrowding and helping passengers reach their destinations promptly.

Prioritizing Safety and Punctuality

Safety, security, and punctuality are the top priorities for Indian Railways as it manages the increased flow of passengers. With millions traveling during the festival period, it is essential that these aspects are addressed. To ensure smooth travel, Indian Railways has made several key adjustments, including increasing the number of staff and improving coordination across different railway zones. The ticketing system has also been enhanced to reduce bottlenecks. These steps are crucial to providing safe, timely, and comfortable travel for the millions of people relying on Indian Railways during this peak travel period, especially for Chhath Puja celebrations.

Impact on the Travel Industry

The addition of these extra special trains during Chhath Puja 2025 underscores the crucial role Indian Railways plays in managing large-scale travel during major festivals. The Chhath Puja and Diwali periods see a dramatic increase in demand for transportation, which can strain existing infrastructure. By adding extra trains and enhancing operational efficiency, Indian Railways is not only facilitating smoother travel for passengers but also helping to reduce the likelihood of disruptions. This, in turn, makes it easier for people to attend family celebrations without major travel-related obstacles.

These efforts have broader implications for the Indian travel industry. As the railway system adapts to handle the growing demand during these busy periods, it contributes significantly to the overall strength of the country’s travel infrastructure. The enhanced services will benefit the Indian travel sector, improving the flow of passengers and ensuring that millions of people can reach their destinations on time.

Global Implications for Travelers

The efforts by Indian Railways to expand train services are not only important for domestic passengers but also have significant global implications. Chhath Puja is celebrated worldwide, and millions of people travel to India to participate in the celebrations with their families. The increased number of special trains will make travel easier for both domestic and international visitors.

For those traveling to India from abroad, the improvements in the rail system make it easier to connect between international airports and major Indian cities such as Delhi, Gorakhpur, Varanasi, and Patna, which are major hubs for Chhath Puja celebrations. The additional trains and more efficient services will allow international travelers to reach their destinations on time, reducing the travel stress associated with tight connections. This enhanced connectivity will likely improve the overall travel experience for international passengers, as seamless rail services make the journey more comfortable and less time-consuming.

Strengthening the Foundation for Future Holiday Travel

The increased number of special trains and improvements to Indian Railways’ services are part of the ongoing efforts to ensure smooth travel during peak seasons such as Chhath Puja and Diwali. These steps provide a strong foundation for future enhancements in the railway network, enabling Indian Railways to handle growing passenger demands more effectively. As the number of travelers continues to rise, these adjustments will serve as a blueprint for future improvements, ensuring that Indian Railways remains a key player in India’s transportation system.

By expanding services, upgrading infrastructure, and improving operational efficiency, Indian Railways is working towards creating a more robust and responsive travel network. These measures will not only improve the experience for passengers in the short term but also provide long-term benefits as the rail network adapts to future increases in passenger volume.

Future Adaptations and Long-Term Improvements

Looking forward, Indian Railways is expected to continue adapting to the changing needs of travelers, especially during high-traffic periods like Chhath Puja and Diwali. The introduction of more special trains and improved infrastructure will likely become a standard practice as the network grows and evolves. These efforts will allow Indian Railways to better serve the increasing number of passengers during peak seasons.

The lessons learned from handling the Chhath Puja 2025 rush will be instrumental in shaping future operations. Indian Railways is likely to incorporate these insights to further refine its services, ensuring that millions of passengers continue to benefit from a reliable, timely, and efficient rail network.

Ensuring Smooth Travel for All

As Chhath Puja 2025 approaches, Indian Railways has put in place numerous measures to ensure that millions of passengers can travel safely and efficiently during this high-demand period. The introduction of over 12,000 special trains, including 186 additional services from North Eastern Railway, showcases Indian Railways’ commitment to accommodating the growing number of passengers. With enhancements to infrastructure, security measures, and better coordination, Indian Railways is set to provide a seamless travel experience for passengers heading home for Chhath Puja.

These efforts not only demonstrate Indian Railways’ commitment to meeting the growing demand for transportation but also highlight its vital role in the overall transportation system. By focusing on safety, punctuality, and comfort, Indian Railways will continue to be an essential part of India’s travel infrastructure, ensuring that millions of people can celebrate Chhath Puja with their families without worrying about travel disruptions.