Railways to operate 12,000 special trains during Deepavali, Chhath festivals 

Indian Railways has decided to operate more than 12,000 special trains for the convenience of passengers during Deepavali and Chhath festivals.

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said that after discussions with Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary, MP Sanjay Jaiswal, Union Minister Lalan Singh, and MP Sanjay Kumar Jha, it was decided to make special arrangements for the upcoming Deepavali and Chhath festivals. He emphasised that passengers should also be facilitated during their return journey.

“After consultations with senior public representatives, it was decided that over 12,000 special trains will be run for Deepavali and Chhath. At the same time, due care will be taken to ensure passengers face no difficulties during their return travel,” Mr. Vaishnaw said.

He said passengers undertaking onward journeys between October 13 and 26 and return journeys between November 17 and December 1 would be offered a 20% discount on return tickets.

In addition, four new Amrit Bharat Express trains would be introduced from Gaya to Delhi, Saharsa to Amritsar, Chhapra to Delhi, and Muzaffarpur to Hyderabad. A new circuit train, covering important sites related to Lord Buddha and catering especially to middle-class families, would also be launched, covering Vaishali, Hajipur, Sonepur, Patna, Rajgir, Gaya and Koderma, Mr. Vaishnaw announced.

The Buxar–Lakhisarai rail section would be expanded into a four-line corridor, enabling more train operations. A ring railway system would be developed around Patna. Sultanganj and Deoghar would be connected by rail. A new train service would also run between Patna and Ayodhya. A washing pit facility would be set up at Laukaha Bazar, and work would be carried out on several newly approved road overbridges in Bihar, Mr. Vaishnaw said.