Delhi Patna Vande Bharat Festival Specials Launched To Manage Festive Rush
New Delhi: As the festive season ushers in a surge of home-bound travellers, the Northern Railways has rolled out Vande Bharat Festival Special trains between Delhi and Patna to manage record passenger traffic during Dussehra, Diwali and Chhath Puja. The new high-speed service aims to enhance travel comfort, reduce congestion, and provide faster, energy-efficient connectivity along one of India’s busiest routes.
Operating from mid-October to mid-November, the service will run as train number 02253 from Patna to New Delhi on Saturdays, Mondays and Wednesdays, and as train number 02254 from New Delhi to Patna on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. The 20-coach rake, modelled on India’s flagship semi-high-speed Vande Bharat Express, promises an upgraded travel experience with advanced seating design, improved safety systems and onboard digital amenities. The railways expect the festive service to significantly ease the rush that typically overwhelms conventional express trains during this period.
The Vande Bharat Festival Specials are designed not only to address seasonal demand but also to support India’s broader vision of sustainable transport. Railways officials emphasised that these trains exemplify a transition towards energy-efficient mobility, as Vande Bharat units are powered by distributed traction systems that consume less energy and emit lower carbon per passenger kilometre compared to traditional diesel-powered coaches. The initiative, they said, aligns with the government’s long-term goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions in public transport by 2070.
The Patna–Delhi corridor, a critical link for migrant workers, students, and families, often sees heavy passenger loads during the festive months. By deploying modern electric units, the Northern Railways seeks to make festive travel smoother and more climate-conscious. The new service, officials explained, also reflects an effort to reduce the overdependence on road and air transport, both of which face severe pressure and higher emissions during the festive period.
In addition to convenience and sustainability, the Vande Bharat Festival Specials are seen as a step towards gender-inclusive and equitable mobility. The rakes have been designed with enhanced safety features, including surveillance systems and better lighting, ensuring greater comfort for women and elderly passengers. Railway experts note that this approach reflects a shift in policy thinking from merely increasing capacity to creating travel experiences that are accessible and socially responsible.The journey time between Patna and Delhi will be around 13 hours, with halts at key junctions such as Ara, Buxar, Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction, Prayagraj, Kanpur Central, and Aligarh. The officials said the new service will not only provide passengers with quicker connectivity but also mark another step towards transforming Indian Railways into a modern, sustainable, and inclusive transport ecosystem.With the festive demand expected to peak across India, the introduction of Vande Bharat Festival Specials underlines how high-speed rail can simultaneously meet mobility needs, enhance energy efficiency, and support the country’s carbon-neutral transition signalling a future where sustainability and comfort travel together.
