Indian Railways Launches 1,702 Special Trains for Diwali and Chhath Puja Festival Travel

The special trains will connect numerous locations across the country as part of the festive transportation plan (Representational).

Central Railway has announced the operation of 1,702 special trains to accommodate the surge in travel during Diwali and Chhath Puja festivals, enabling passengers to reunite with their families for these important celebrations.

According to CPRO Central Railway, Swapnil Nila, who spoke to ANI on Saturday, "The Central Railway is implementing comprehensive preparations for the upcoming Chhath and Diwali festivals by deploying 1,702 special trains to facilitate passenger travel to their destinations for family celebrations. These special services will originate from key stations including Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, Lokmanya Tilak Terminus, Pune, Kolhapur, and Nagpur. More than 800 of these trains are specifically designated to serve routes connecting to Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, and northeastern states. Additionally, the trains will establish connectivity between various other destinations throughout the country."

The CPRO further mentioned that additional counters have been established at major stations to enhance passenger convenience and safety.

He elaborated, "To prioritize passenger comfort and safety, dedicated holding areas with capacity for over 3,000 passengers each have been set up at major stations, complete with essential amenities including food, water, toilets, and fans. Mobile UTS services are now available for ticket booking, and supplementary ticket counters have been opened to minimize waiting times."

Earlier on Saturday, Indian Railways announced its decision to implement stringent measures against social media accounts that distribute 'misleading' videos concerning railway operations.

The railways issued a statement noting that during this festive period, certain social media accounts have been circulating outdated or misleading videos, generating confusion among travelers.

Railway administration officials revealed that over 20 such social media accounts have been identified, and procedures for filing FIRs against them have commenced. A round-the-clock social media monitoring system has been established to vigilantly observe such antisocial activities.

The railway authorities have urged all social media users to avoid sharing footage of crowds or other incidents at stations without proper fact verification.

Passengers are encouraged to rely exclusively on official Railway notifications and verified social media channels of the Ministry of Railways, specifically @RailMinIndia on X, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube for reliable information.