North Western Railway Announces 44 Special Trains for Diwali and Chhath Puja Travel Rush

To accommodate the massive passenger rush during Diwali and Chhath Puja, the North Western Railway (NWR) has rolled out 44 pairs of special trains, connecting high-demand destinations such as Mumbai, Pune, Howrah, and several regions in Bihar. The move comes as part of a broader nationwide initiative to ensure safe, efficient, and comfortable travel during the peak festive season.

Expanded Services and Passenger Arrangements

As per the news reports, Captain Shashi Kiran, Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) of NWR, said the railways have taken extensive measures to manage the increased footfall. “For Diwali and Chhath festivals, North Western Railways organised special arrangements. Currently, 44 pairs of special trains are operating from stations with high demand, such as Mumbai, Pune, Howrah, and nearby regions in Bihar... We are assessing the need for more special trains and have added 174 coaches to nearly 60 regular trains,” he noted.

To ease congestion, NWR has created holding areas at major stations like Jaipur, deployed Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel, and enlisted volunteers from NGOs, scouts, and guides. “We advise passengers to arrive as per schedule; early arrivals can use the holding areas. Entry will be regulated, and platform tickets are temporarily suspended, except in special cases,” Kiran added.

Central Railway’s Nationwide Festive Operations and Digital Safety Push

Complementing these efforts, Central Railway has launched an even larger initiative with 1,702 special trains operating across India to cater to holiday travellers. “Over 800 of these services will connect Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, and the northeastern states,” said Swapnil Nila, CPRO, Central Railway.

Temporary facilities have been set up at major stations, featuring holding zones for up to 3,000 passengers, along with food stalls, water, restrooms, and ticketing counters. Mobile UTS (Unreserved Ticketing System) services have been expanded to streamline bookings and reduce queues.

Meanwhile, the Indian Railways has announced strict action against 20 social media handles found circulating misleading videos about railway operations during the festive season. Authorities have initiated FIRs and activated a 24×7 monitoring system, urging passengers to rely solely on verified sources such as @RailMinIndia on X, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube for authentic travel information.

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Conclusion

With additional trains, coaches, and safety protocols in place, Indian Railways is working to ensure that festive travel this Diwali and Chhath remains smooth, secure, and efficient for millions of passengers.

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