Indian Railways Increases Capacity And Launches Round-Trip Special Trains To Meet Unprecedented Passenger Demand For Chhath Puja

Published on October 25, 2025

To accommodate the overwhelming surge in passenger demand for Chhath Puja, Indian Railways has significantly increased its capacity and introduced round-trip special trains. With millions of people traveling to their hometowns to celebrate the festival with family, the railways are addressing the unprecedented demand by adding extra coaches to regular trains and operating new special services on major routes. Notably, a round-trip special train has been launched between Rani Kamlapati and Hazrat Nizamuddin to cater to the high number of travellers. These strategic measures ensure that passengers can travel comfortably and on time, minimizing overcrowding and delays during one of the busiest travel seasons of the year. With these efforts, Indian Railways is committed to providing smooth and efficient travel for those heading home for the festive occasion.

Indian Railways has made extensive arrangements to manage the surge in passenger traffic during Chhath Puja, as thousands of travellers have been rushing to reach their homes to celebrate the festival with family. The Railways has introduced several measures, including special trains, additional coaches, and other facilities at key stations to handle the increased demand.

To accommodate the growing rush, the Indian Railways has scheduled a round-trip Chhath Puja Special train between Rani Kamlapati and Hazrat Nizamuddin. This special train departed from Rani Kamlapati station at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday and is scheduled to arrive at Hazrat Nizamuddin at 8:15 p.m. on the same day. The return train will leave Hazrat Nizamuddin at 8:30 p.m., stopping at Mathura, Agra Cantt, Gwalior, Veerangna Rani Laxmibai Jhansi, Bina, Vidisha, and finally reaching Rani Kamlapati at 10:50 a.m. on Sunday.

The special train comprises 22 LHB coaches, which include two Second AC, three Third AC, six Economy Third AC, five Sleeper, four General Class, one SLRD, and one generator car. The arrangement ensures that the railways can accommodate more passengers, especially during the festive season when demand is at its peak.

In addition to this special train, the Railways Ministry has notified the operation of 6,181 special trains on October 28 to help passengers return to their workplaces after the holiday. In total, over 12,000 special trains are being operated across the country, with more than 900 additional trips planned in the coming days to manage the heavy flow of passengers during the festival period.

The state of Bihar has also ramped up efforts to handle the large number of passengers expected during Chhath Puja. Nearly 30 stations in the state have been prepared to manage the influx. These stations are equipped with additional ticket counters, CCTV surveillance, weatherproof holding areas, and enhanced crowd management systems. Stations like Patna, Danapur, Rajendra Nagar Terminal, Saharsa, Darbhanga, Muzaffarpur, Gaya, Samastipur, and Barauni are among those where arrangements have been made to ensure smooth operations and reduce crowd congestion.

In addition to these measures, Indian Railways has also added more coaches to existing trains on high-demand routes. This effort aims to accommodate as many passengers as possible and reduce the chances of overcrowding. To further ease passenger discomfort, major stations have also set up weatherproof waiting areas. These waiting areas are designed to provide a comfortable space for passengers to wait before their trains depart, especially given the large number of people expected at these stations.

For passenger safety and health, Indian Railways has set up 24/7 medical booths at key stations. These medical booths will be manned by healthcare professionals to attend to any emergencies. Fire brigades and ambulances have also been stationed at several stations to ensure immediate assistance if needed. This proactive approach ensures the well-being of passengers, especially during the festival rush, when the volume of travellers can lead to health and safety concerns.

In a bid to add to the festive spirit, Indian Railways has begun playing Chhath songs at several major stations. The devotional music is intended to connect passengers with the tradition and significance of the festival. Stations such as Patna, Danapur, Hajipur, Bhagalpur, Jamalpur, Sonpur, New Delhi, Ghaziabad, and Anand Vihar Terminal are among those where the Chhath songs are being played. The soothing music is creating a joyous atmosphere, bringing a sense of tradition and home to passengers heading back to their families for the celebration.

These efforts reflect Indian Railways’ commitment to ensuring a smooth and safe travel experience for passengers during one of the busiest travel times of the year. By introducing special trains, increasing capacity, and ensuring passenger safety and comfort, the Railways is working to make the Chhath Puja travel experience as smooth as possible for everyone involved.

To manage the unprecedented surge in passenger demand during Chhath Puja, Indian Railways has increased capacity by adding extra coaches and launched round-trip special trains. These measures are designed to ensure smoother, more efficient travel for millions of people heading home to celebrate the festival with their families.

The arrangements are a crucial part of the government’s wider efforts to manage travel during peak periods and to ensure that the influx of passengers is handled efficiently. With such measures in place, travellers can look forward to a safer, more comfortable journey as they return home to celebrate this sacred festival with their loved ones.