Indian Railways To Run 12000 Festive Special Trains
Indian Railways will operate 12,000 special trains across the country this festive season to manage the extraordinary passenger rush during Diwali and Chhath, in one of the largest mobility operations of its kind in India. Officials confirmed that the services will add crucial capacity for passengers travelling home, as well as provide relief to those unable to secure tickets on regular trains. The additional trains are expected to create lakhs of extra berths, easing the annual scramble for seats witnessed around the festive calendar.
Transport experts describe the decision as both logistical and social in importance. Railways remain the most affordable and environmentally sustainable means of mass mobility in India, particularly during peak travel windows. By deploying special trains, the national transporter not only alleviates passenger distress but also reduces dependence on high-emission road travel.
The services will be designed to cater not just to outbound travellers heading home for festivities but also to return passengers. Senior officials emphasised that round-trip convenience has been factored into the schedule to ensure passengers are not stranded after celebrations. This aligns with Indian Railways’ recently launched ‘Round Trip Package’ scheme, which offers discounts on return bookings when onward and return journeys are reserved for the same group of passengers.
Recent figures underline the scale of demand. During Holi and summer vacations in 2024 and 2025, nearly 13,500 special train trips were operated annually, catering to millions of travellers. For Durga Puja, Diwali, and Chhath in 2024, close to 8,000 trips carried nearly 1.8 crore passengers within just two months. Earlier this year, the Maha Kumbh alone saw over 17,300 trains move 4.24 crore passengers in less than seven weeks. Officials argue that the scale of festive operations shows the irreplaceable role of railways in India’s transport ecosystem. Unlike air or road options, trains offer both high-volume capacity and lower carbon intensity per passenger. Urban mobility specialists note that such large-scale festival operations also highlight the urgent need for Indian Railways to continue investing in electrification, modern signalling, and upgraded rolling stock to meet future demands sustainably.
For millions of households, however, the special trains mean more than infrastructure statistics. They represent the assurance of reaching families during festivals that symbolise togetherness. The announcement has been widely welcomed, particularly in states like Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Jharkhand, where demand for travel surges exponentially during Chhath. Even as the logistical scale is immense, observers point out that the festive operations are also a demonstration of India’s railways attempting to balance tradition, technology, and sustainability. While the rush is a reminder of the country’s mobility challenges, the commitment to deploy 12,000 trains is a signal that the railway network remains both a social lifeline and a green backbone of national transport.
