The Indian Railways is deploying an additional 1,500 special trains over the next five days to meet the surge in travel ahead of the Chhath Puja festivities, the Ministry of Railways announced on Wednesday.
According to the ministry’s release, in the past 21 days Indian Railways has already operated 4,493 special train trips — averaging 213 trips per day — aimed at helping travellers reach their homes in time for Diwali. The ministry said these figures reflect its intensified efforts to manage holiday travel demand effectively.
The special train schedule is being implemented as part of a 61-day operation, running from October 1 to November 30, 2025. During this period, more than 12,000 special trains are being planned across India. As of now, 11,865 trips (across 916 trains) have been notified, including 9,338 reserved and 2,203 unreserved trips.
The ministry noted that this year’s special train numbers represent a significant increase over last year’s 7,724 Puja/Diwali special trains, demonstrating Indian Railways’ commitment to delivering smooth and convenient journeys during festive demand.
At Udhna station on October 19, over 36,000 passengers were facilitated — marking a 50 % increase compared to the same day last year. All passengers boarded their trains by 4 pm and reached home in time to celebrate Diwali, the ministry said. To handle the surge, it had set up dedicated holding areas and numerous ticket counters to streamline boarding.
Passenger feedback has underlined improved experience. Travellers praised cleaner coaches, courteous railway staff, and better hygiene standards. At Jabalpur and Ahmedabad stations, passengers highlighted orderly premises, efficient service and the role of the Railway Protection Force (RPF) in assisting disabled and sick travellers.
With these measures, Indian Railways says it is striving to ensure that every traveller experiences efficient, safe and hassle-free travel during one of the busiest times of the year.