The festive lights of Diwali may have dimmed, but the travel season is far from over. With Chhath Puja approaching, Indian Railways has announced a schedule of unreserved special trains to manage the heavy passenger rush to Uttar Pradesh.
Navigating the Post-Diwali Rush
To cater to the
immense demand for travel after Diwali and leading up to Chhath Puja, Indian Railways has introduced numerous special trains. A significant number of these are 'unreserved' services, providing much-needed relief for those unable to secure confirmed tickets on regular trains. These trains primarily consist of general second-class coaches, allowing passengers to buy tickets at station counters just before their journey without needing an advance reservation. Northern Railway has notably increased its services, planning over 6,200 special train trips for the festive season, a roughly 30% increase from the previous year. This massive effort is aimed at ensuring smoother, more accessible travel for the millions heading to their hometowns in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.
Unreserved Trains from West Bengal to UP
Eastern Railway has announced several fully unreserved special trains connecting Kolkata and Sealdah with key destinations in Uttar Pradesh. These services are crucial for migrants and families travelling from West Bengal. Each train typically features around 18 general second-class coaches. Key services include:
- Kolkata to Gorakhpur Special (03141/03142): The 03141 service leaves Kolkata at 4:40 PM on November 13 and reaches Gorakhpur at 11:00 AM the next day. The return train, 03142, departs Gorakhpur on November 14 at 1:30 PM. This train stops at important stations like Asansol, Jasidih, Barauni, and Muzaffarpur.
- Sealdah to Ballia Special (03139/03140): Train number 03139 departs Sealdah at 10:05 AM on November 11, arriving in Ballia at 4:00 AM on November 12. The return service, 03140, leaves Ballia at 7:00 AM on November 12.
- Howrah to Gorakhpur Special (03037/03038): This train (03037) leaves Howrah at 11:45 PM to reach Gorakhpur the next day at 6:15 PM. The return journey (03038) starts from Gorakhpur at 8:35 PM.
Services from Delhi and Other Regions
The bulk of the festive rush originates from the National Capital Region (NCR). Northern Railway is operating a high number of services from Delhi, Anand Vihar Terminal, and New Delhi stations towards UP destinations like Kanpur, Lucknow, Varanasi, and Gorakhpur. In addition to the unreserved trains, many special reserved trains have been announced to clear the waitlists. South Central Railway has also announced special services connecting Telangana with Uttar Pradesh, such as the Charlapalli–Prayagraj special train (04122), providing options for those travelling from southern states. Central Railway is running specials from Mumbai's Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (LTT) to Banaras and Gorakhpur throughout October and November.
Tips for Travelling on Unreserved Trains
Travelling during the festive peak can be challenging, especially in unreserved coaches. To make your journey safer and more comfortable, keep a few things in mind. Firstly, arrive at the station well in advance. Since these tickets are sold at the counter, expect long queues. Extra ticket counters are often opened to manage the crowds, but it is wise to budget extra time. Secondly, travel light if possible. Unreserved compartments can get very crowded, and managing heavy luggage can be difficult. Be vigilant about your belongings at all times. Finally, always check the train's latest schedule and platform number on the NTES app or at station enquiry counters before leaving for the station, as timings can be revised on short notice. Railway authorities have also strengthened security at major stations to manage the rush and ensure passenger safety.
