With the Diwali festivities concluding, Indian Railways has announced a series of unreserved special trains to manage the heavy rush of passengers returning to work. Here are the details you need to plan your journey back.
A Lifeline for Last-Minute Travellers
The post-Diwali travel period
is notoriously challenging, with reserved seats on regular trains being booked out weeks, if not months, in advance. To address this, Indian Railways, particularly the Eastern Railway, has introduced several 'unreserved' special trains. These services are a boon for those who couldn't secure a confirmed ticket, as passengers can purchase general class tickets at the station just before departure. These trains primarily consist of general second-class coaches, designed to accommodate the maximum number of people and clear the festive rush on high-demand routes.
Key Routes from West Bengal to Bihar and UP
A significant number of special trains are being operated by the Eastern Railway, connecting West Bengal with key destinations in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, which see immense passenger traffic during this period. Five pairs of unreserved special trains will run from Howrah and Sealdah to cities like Patna, Muzaffarpur, Gorakhpur, and Jaynagar. This initiative aims to provide relief to thousands of passengers and ensure smoother transit.
Detailed Train Services: Howrah and Sealdah
To help you plan, here is a breakdown of some key services announced. Please note that return timings are crucial for post-Diwali travel. Howrah-Patna Specials (03033/03034 & 03035/03036): Two pairs of trains will connect Howrah and Patna. The 03034 will leave Patna at 6:30 AM, reaching Howrah at 10:15 PM. Another service, the 03036, will depart Patna at 1:35 PM. Howrah-Gorakhpur Special (03037/03038): For those heading back from Gorakhpur, train 03038 will depart at 8:35 PM and reach Howrah the next day. Howrah-Muzaffarpur Special (03039/03040): The return train 03040 will leave Muzaffarpur at 9:00 AM, arriving in Howrah the same day at 11:55 PM. Sealdah-Jaynagar Special (03145/03146): The return service 03146 departs Jaynagar at 10:00 AM, reaching Sealdah at 1:30 AM the next day. Fully Unreserved Services: Additionally, three special unreserved trains will run on specific dates in November: Sealdah-Jaynagar (03138) on Nov 14, Sealdah-Ballia (03140) on Nov 12, and Kolkata-Gorakhpur (03142) on Nov 14.
Connecting North India to the East
Northern Railway and South Central Railway have also made announcements to manage the festive load. While many of these focused on pre-Diwali travel, some services extend into the post festival period. Delhi-Howrah Special (04053): This reserved special has return services scheduled for November 6, 7, 9, 13, and 14 from Howrah, providing a crucial link back to the capital. Anand Vihar - Sabour Special (04)65): This reserved AC special offers return journeys from Sabour on November 7, 8, 12, and 13, connecting to Anand Vihar Terminal in Delhi. South Central Railway: This zone has also highlighted vacant berths on several special trains running in November, connecting Telangana with destinations in UP and Bihar, such as Prayagraj and Danapur.
Tips for Travelling on Unreserved Trains
Travelling on an unreserved train during the festive season requires some preparation. Since you can buy tickets at the station, expect long queues and large crowds. It is advisable to reach the station well in advance of the train's departure time. Keep your luggage minimal for easier movement. Always check the official Indian Railways website (indianrail.gov.in), the NTES app for live train status, or enquiry counters for the most upto date information, including platform numbers and any potential delays or schedule changes, before starting your journey.
