New Delhi – Indian Railways is boosting services to meet the rush of Chhath Puja pilgrims. On Thursday, the government announced a fleet of 1,205 special trains that will run over the next four days, in addition to regular services, to keep passengers moving safely.
Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw explained that station waiting areas have been arranged to keep boardings smooth. Around 10,700 reserved and 3,000 unreserved trains are already in operation to curb the expected surge. “We base the number of special trains on data from the last two years,” he said, adding that a detailed demand model guides the schedule for each destination.
During a visit to the Railway Board’s War Room in New Delhi, Vaishnaw assessed real‑time passenger flows. War rooms are now active at the division, zone and board levels and can track any station across the country. “Mini control rooms at major stops help us coordinate extra trains and handle operational needs instantly,” he noted.
At New Delhi railway station, a permanent holding area can accommodate more than 7,000 people. It includes 150 toilets for men, 150 for women, automatic ticket vending machines, ticket counters and free drinking water.
Turning to specific itineraries, 30 special trains will depart from Delhi’s key stations, plus six that will pass through. A further 17 special services are planned for the next day. Overall, between October 1 and November 30, 2025, Indian Railways will run over 12,000 special trains nationwide, with 2,220 dedicated to routes to Bihar during the celebration.
Passengers traveling to Bihar have already expressed relief. Shambhavi Bhardwaj, who rode from New Delhi to Sonpur, praised the station’s cleanliness and on‑train facilities. Travelers on the Anand Vihar–Bhagalpur route via the Vikramshila Express also highlighted the smooth arrangements and clean environment.
Indian Railways’ preparations aim to make this year’s Chhath Puja travel both comfortable and hassle‑free for millions of pilgrims.
Source: ianslive
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