The Indian Railways has decided to run hundreds of special trains in anticipation of various upcoming festivals this year, including Diwali, Durga Puja, Ganesh Chaturthi, Onam, and Chhath Puja. To ease the additional passenger traffic during Durga Puja, Diwali, and Chhath festivals, the Southern Railway has announced that it will operate 100 special trains. Advance reservations for these trains are already open, making it convenient for travelers to secure their seats ahead of time. Two special trains operated by Southern Railway will run weekly over three months—September, October, and November.
Announcement by Ashwini Vaishnaw
Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has shared details on these special trains. Train number 06090 will depart from Santragachi on Thursday at 11:40 PM and will return to Dr. M.G.R. Chennai Central three days later at 9:00 AM. The Tambaram – Santragachi special train, numbered 06095, will leave Tambaram on Thursday at 1:00 PM and arrive at Santragachi the following evening. Additionally, train number 06096 will depart from Santragachi on Friday at 11:50 PM, reaching Tambaram three days later at 9:45 AM. Furthermore, the announcement included the operation of 342 special trains for the Ganesh Festival, beginning on September 7.
Special Train Services for Diwali and Chhath
- The Indian Railways has confirmed that stops for these trains will include several important locations such as Narmadapuram, Itarsi, Pipariya, Gadarwara, Narsinghpur, Jabalpur, Sihora Road, Katni, Maihar, Satna, Manikpur, Prayagraj Chheki, Mirzapur, Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyay Junction, Buxar, and Ara.
- For the Jabalpur-Danapur-Jabalpur Express special train, there will be a total of 16 trips scheduled. Train number 01705 will operate every Wednesday and Friday, departing from Jabalpur at 7:35 PM starting from October 23 and running until November 15, reaching Danapur by the next day at 8:45 AM.
- Similarly, train number 01706 will operate every Thursday and Saturday, leaving Danapur at 11:45 AM from October 24 to November 16, and will arrive in Jabalpur by midnight at 12:10 AM the following day. The stoppages for these trains will similarly include Sihora Road, Katni, Maihar, Satna, Manikpur, Prayagraj Chheki, Mirzapur, Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyay Junction, Buxar, and Ara.
Expected Benefits and Highlights
The introduction of these special trains is expected to significantly reduce overcrowding during these festive seasons, providing a more comfortable journey for passengers. Ensuring timely availability of tickets through advanced booking will also facilitate better planning and reduced stress for travelers. Additionally, the train schedules have been designed to accommodate the increased travel demands during some of the most celebrated festivals in India.
Summary of Special Train Services
| Train Number | Route | Frequency | Departure Time | Arrival Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 06090 | Santragachi to Chennai Central | Weekly | 11:40 PM (Thursday) | 9:00 AM (3 days later) |
| 06095 | Tambaram to Santragachi | Weekly | 1:00 PM (Thursday) | Next evening |
| 01705 | Jabalpur to Danapur | Every Wednesday, Friday | 7:35 PM | 8:45 AM (next day) |
| 01706 | Danapur to Jabalpur | Every Thursday, Saturday | 11:45 AM | 12:10 AM (next day) |
Additional Information
Travelers are encouraged to check the official Indian Railways website or the mobile app for the latest updates regarding train schedules, ticket availability, and any changes to operations that may arise due to unforeseen circumstances. Happy travels during this festive season!
