Indian Railways Deploys 1,205 Special Trains to Manage Chhath Festival Rush

Railways have significantly enhanced their operations to ensure passengers experience safe and comfortable journeys during the festive period.

The government announced on Thursday that 1,205 special trains will be operational over a four-day period, supplementing regular services to handle the increased passenger flow during the Chhath festival.

As the peak travel surge approaches, Railways have intensified their efforts with comprehensive measures to guarantee comfortable and secure travel experiences for all passengers celebrating Chhath Puja.

Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw highlighted that dedicated holding and waiting areas have been established to facilitate systematic entry of passengers at stations. He noted that approximately 10,700 reserved trains and 3,000 unreserved trains have been deployed to efficiently manage the festival rush.

The minister explained that determining the precise number of special trains required involves analyzing data from the previous two years, which is then processed through a model to evaluate demand for each destination.

During his visit to the War Room at the Railway Board in New Delhi, Vaishnaw reviewed passenger movement throughout the festive season. He mentioned that War rooms have been established at Division, Zone, and Railway Board levels, with the Board receiving real-time feeds from all locations.

Additionally, the minister revealed that mini control rooms have been set up at major stations. This comprehensive monitoring system enables real-time coordination nationwide regarding station status, requirements for additional trains, and various operational needs.

The Union Minister further shared that a permanent holding area at New Delhi Station now accommodates over 7,000 people, featuring 150 toilets for men and women each, automatic ticket vending machines, ticket counters, and complimentary RO water, significantly enhancing passenger convenience.

On Thursday, 30 special trains were scheduled to depart from major stations in the Delhi area, along with 6 passing special trains. On October 24, 17 special trains are set to operate from major Delhi Area stations.

To address the travel surge, an extensive schedule of special trains has been implemented. Out of more than 12,000 special trains operating across India between October 1 and November 30, 2025, approximately 2,220 will serve Bihar to meet the heightened festive travel demand.

Passengers traveling to Bihar expressed satisfaction with the railway arrangements, commending the special trains, cleanliness standards, and overall smooth travel experience.

Shambhavi Bhardwaj, who traveled from New Delhi to Sonpur, praised the cleanliness and facilities available both at the railway station and aboard the train. Similarly, passengers using the Vikramshila Express from Anand Vihar to Bhagalpur expressed appreciation for the facilities and arrangements provided by Indian Railways.