Indian Railways is all set to meet the increased demand during the festival season by running a total of 283 festival special trains, making an impressive 4,480 trips. Responding to the festive rush, the Railways will also operate the fully reservation-based Patna-New Delhi Special Vande Bharat Express for a total of six trips.

The festival cheer will be evident with these additional services, with the Union Railway Minister, Ashwini Vaishnaw, stating that these special trains will play a vital role in facilitating travel during Diwali and Chhath Puja.

The Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) of Northern Railways, Deepak Kumar, shared the details of the Patna-New Delhi Special Vande Bharat Express. The train, numbered 02252, will travel from New Delhi to Patna Junction, commencing its journey at 7:25 AM and arriving in Patna the same evening at 7:00 PM. This special service will be available on November 11, 14, and 16.

For the return journey, the reservation-based Train number 02251, which runs from Patna Junction to New Delhi, will operate on November 12, 15, and 17. Departing from Patna Junction at 7:00 AM, it will reach New Delhi on the same evening at 7:00 PM, making stops at various stations along the way.

To facilitate travelers, the fare for the AC Chair Car coach from New Delhi (NDLS) to Patna (PNBE) is set at ₹2355, while for the AC Executive Chair Car coach, the fare is ₹4410.

Moreover, the Indian Railways plans to connect major destinations across the country on key railway routes. These special trains will cover routes such as Delhi-Patna, Delhi-Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra, Danapur-Saharsa, Danapur-Bengaluru, Ambala-Saharsa, Muzaffarpur-Yesvantpur, Puri-Patna, Okha-Naharlagun, Sealdah-New Jalpaiguri, Kochuveli-Bengaluru, Benaras-Mumbai, Howrah-Raxaul, and more.

In a bid to ensure passenger safety, the Railway Board has recommended that railway zones instruct their ticket-checking personnel to verify the authenticity of passengers by checking valid and authorized proof of identity.

As the festive season approaches, Indian Railways is committed to providing a convenient and safe travel experience for passengers, offering a range of special trains to cater to their needs.