As the Diwali festivities conclude, Indian Railways is bracing for the immense post-festival travel rush. To ease the journey for thousands returning to work, several unreserved special trains have been announced for Uttar Pradesh.
Understanding Unreserved Special Trains
To manage the extraordinary
passenger demand during the festive season, Indian Railways operates special train services. The 'unreserved' designation is particularly important for last-minute travellers. Unlike regular reserved trains, tickets for these services can be purchased at station counters just before the journey, as there are no seat reservations. These trains primarily consist of general second-class coaches. Given the high demand, passengers are advised to arrive at the station well in advance of the scheduled departure time. Northern Railway and Eastern Railway have been at the forefront of these announcements, aiming to connect major hubs like Delhi, Kolkata, and Mumbai with key destinations across Uttar Pradesh.
Key Services from Delhi to Uttar Pradesh
The Delhi-UP corridor is one of the busiest post-Diwali. Northern Railway has scheduled several services originating from Anand Vihar Terminal, New Delhi, and Delhi Junction. A key service, the 04214 Anand Vihar-Ayodhya Cantt Special, will depart from Anand Vihar at 9:00 AM to reach Ayodhya Cantt at 10:00 PM the same day. This train stops at major junctions including Ghaziabad, Moradabad, Bareilly, Shahjahanpur, Lucknow, and Barabanki, providing crucial connectivity to central UP. Another significant route is the Varanasi-Delhi Special (04209/04210), which connects the capital with eastern UP, stopping at Lucknow, Rae Bareli, and Pratapgarh. To further manage crowds, authorities have suspended platform ticket sales at major Delhi stations, including New Delhi, Anand Vihar, and Delhi Junction, from November 3 to November 14, 2026.
Trains Connecting Kolkata with Eastern UP
Eastern Railway has also announced multiple unreserved specials to facilitate travel from West Bengal into eastern Uttar Pradesh. The Kolkata-Gorakhpur unreserved special (03141/03142) is a notable service. Train 03142 will depart from Gorakhpur on November 14 at 1:30 PM, reaching Kolkata the next morning. Its route includes important stops like Kaptanganj, Siswa Bazar, Narkatiaganj, Muzaffarpur, and Asansol. Another special service, the Howrah-Gorakhpur special (03037/03038), provides an additional option. The return train (03038) leaves Gorakhpur at 8:35 PM, passing through Deoria Sadar, Siwan, Chhapra, and Barauni. A service connecting Sealdah with Ballia (03139/03140) will also operate, with the return train departing Ballia on November 12.
Services from Mumbai and Other Regions
Recognizing the high volume of travellers returning from Maharashtra, Central Railway has scheduled daily special trains between Mumbai and Gorakhpur. The 01080 Gorakhpur-CSMT special departs Gorakhpur at 2:30 PM daily until November 18, 2026. This train has extensive stops within Uttar Pradesh, including Khalilabad, Basti, Mankapur, Gonda, Lucknow, and Kanpur Central, before proceeding towards Mumbai via Jhansi and Bhopal. Additionally, the Lucknow railway division has confirmed that a total of 50 pairs of festival special trains, accounting for over 1,600 trips, will either originate, terminate, or pass through the division, connecting the state capital with Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata. Travellers from the south can also find options, as South Central Railway has highlighted vacant berths on special trains connecting Secunderabad with destinations like Prayagraj.
Essential Tips for Hassle-Free Travel
While these special trains offer much-needed relief, passengers should take precautions for a smoother journey. First, always check the latest train schedules on the official NTES app or the Indian Railways website before leaving for the station, as timings for special services can be subject to revision. Since these are unreserved trains, expect significant crowds; it's wise to travel with minimal luggage and keep a close watch on your belongings. Northern Railway has increased the number of special train trips by around 30% compared to last year to accommodate the rush and deployed additional staff at stations to assist passengers. Remember that these special trains often have a surcharge of 10–30% over the base fare. Booking for many of these services is already open, and for reserved specials on these routes de seats fill up almost instantly.
