The festive season brings a massive rush for train tickets, especially on routes to Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. To manage this demand for Diwali and the upcoming Chhath Puja, Indian Railways has announced several unreserved special trains.
Navigating the Festive Rush
Every year, millions
of people travel from major metropolitan areas like Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata to their hometowns in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar to celebrate Diwali and Chhath Puja with their families. This results in an unprecedented demand for train tickets, with reserved seats on regular trains getting booked months in advance. To provide a crucial alternative for countless passengers, Indian Railways operates a series of 'Special' trains. Among these, unreserved special trains are a lifeline, allowing travel without prior reservation. These trains typically have general second-class coaches where passengers can buy tickets at the station and board. While this means journeys can be crowded, it ensures that more people can make their way home for the festivities.
From Kolkata and Sealdah (Eastern Railway)
Eastern Railway has announced several fully unreserved special trains to clear the passenger rush. Each of these trains typically consists of around 18 general second-class coaches. One such service is the Sealdah-Jaynagar Special (03137), which departs from Sealdah at 4:40 PM on November 13 and reaches Jaynagar the next morning. For those travelling to Gorakhpur, the Kolkata-Gorakhpur Special (03141) leaves Kolkata at 4:40 PM on November 13, arriving at its destination at 11:00 AM the following day. Another key route is covered by the Sealdah–Ballia Special (03139/03140), which helps connect passengers to eastern UP. In addition to these one-trip specials, Eastern Railway is also running other unreserved services like the Howrah-Patna (03033) and Howrah-Muzaffarpur (03039) specials to cater to the Bihar-bound traffic.
Trains from Delhi and Anand Vihar (Northern Railway)
Northern Railway is running a significant number of special services to manage the flow of passengers from the national capital. While many of these are reserved services, they include coaches with unreserved seating (General Class - GS). Key routes with special trains announced include New Delhi to Patna, Danapur, Darbhanga, and Saharsa. Anand Vihar Terminal (ANVT) is another major hub for eastbound trains, with special services planned for destinations like Patna, Bhagalpur, Jaynagar, and Muzaffarpur. For example, the Anand Vihar - Patna Express Special (04078) is a crucial service for those heading to the Bihar capital. Passengers are advised to check the NTES app or the railway enquiry website for specific train numbers and their exact schedules, as these are subject to change based on operational factors.
Services from Mumbai and Punjab
The festive rush is not limited to Delhi and Kolkata. A huge number of people travel from Maharashtra and Punjab as well. Central Railway has announced hundreds of special services, including daily trains from Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) to Gorakhpur (01079) throughout the festive period. Western Railway has also introduced unreserved special trains, such as the Bandra Terminus-Gorakhpur special, to accommodate passengers. From Punjab, Northern Railway's Ferozepur Division has scheduled reserved festival specials from Ludhiana to key Bihar destinations like Saharsa (04656), Darbhanga (04662), and Gaya (04664) in November. While these are primarily reserved, the addition of any service on these high-demand routes helps ease the overall pressure on the network.
Tips for Travelling on Unreserved Trains
Travelling on an unreserved special train during the peak festive season requires some preparation. It is advisable to reach the station well in advance to purchase your ticket from the counter and find a spot on the train. Since these coaches are unreserved, they tend to be very crowded. Travel with minimal luggage to make your journey more comfortable. Always keep your belongings secure and be aware of your surroundings. It's also a good practice to carry water and some food, as the journey can be long. Finally, always doublecheckthe train's platform number and departure time from the display boards at the station, as last minute changes are possible during the festive rush.
