To ease the immense travel rush during the Diwali 2026 festival, Indian Railways has rolled out a series of unreserved special trains for passengers heading to Uttar Pradesh, offering much-needed relief for last-minute travel plans.
A Lifeline for Last-Minute Travellers
The festive season,
particularly Diwali and Chhath Puja, sees an unprecedented surge in demand for train tickets, with reserved seats on most major routes getting booked out weeks in advance. This leaves a vast number of people, who often make spontaneous travel plans or cannot secure a confirmed ticket, in a difficult position. Unreserved special trains are a crucial intervention by the Railways to address this gap. Comprising mostly general second-class coaches, these services allow passengers to purchase tickets directly from station counters or through the UTS mobile app and board the train, easing the pressure on regular services and providing an essential travel option for countless individuals trying to get home for the holidays.
Key Routes Connecting Delhi and UP
A significant portion of the festive rush originates from the national capital region. To cater to this, Northern Railway has announced several services connecting Delhi and Anand Vihar Terminal to major cities in Uttar Pradesh. For instance, a special reserved train (04022) is scheduled to run from New Delhi to Gorakhpur via key stops like Lucknow and Gonda. While this specific service has reserved coaches, it is part of a larger plan that includes over 6,200 special train trips to manage demand. Passengers are also advised to check for schedule changes on regular trains like the Prayagraj Express and Kaifiyat Express, which connect Delhi to Prayagraj and Azamgarh respectively, as timings are often revised during this period.
Services from West Bengal to Eastern UP
Eastern Railway has also announced multiple unreserved special trains from Kolkata and Sealdah, directly benefiting those travelling to eastern UP. A key service is the Kolkata-Gorakhpur special (03141), which provides a direct link for passengers heading to one of UP's most populous regions. Another important train is the Sealdah-Ballia special (03139), catering to passengers on that specific corridor. These trains consist of approximately 18 general second-class coaches, significantly increasing capacity for unreserved travel. They are specifically designed to clear the extra rush of passengers and offer a viable option for those unable to find reserved accommodation.
Connecting Lucknow and Other Hubs
The Lucknow railway division is a central hub for festive travel, with dozens of special trains either originating from, terminating at, or passing through its stations. This year, 50 pairs of festival specials are making a combined 1,682 trips across the division, connecting the state capital with Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata. Key passing services include the Gorakhpur-Mumbai special (01079/01080) and the New Delhi–Barauni special (02563/02564), which offer vital connectivity for passengers in and around Lucknow. With services departing from Charbagh, Alamnagar, and Aishbagh stations, travellers have multiple boarding points across the city.
Tips for Travelling on Unreserved Trains
Travelling on an unreserved special train during the festive peak requires some preparation. Expect large crowds at major stations like New Delhi, Anand Vihar, Howrah, and Lucknow. It is advisable to arrive at the station well in advance. Tickets for these general coaches can be bought at station counters or, more conveniently, via the Indian Railways' UTS mobile app. Using the app can save you from standing in long queues. Remember that paperless tickets booked via the app often require you to be within a certain distance of the station, and the journey must typically commence within an hour of booking. Travel light if possible, keep your belongings secure, and always confirm the final platform number from the display boards at the station.
