Indian Railways has announced a series of unreserved special trains to manage the festive rush for Diwali and Chhath Puja. This offers a welcome relief for passengers travelling to Bihar, providing more options to get home.
Navigating the Festive Rush
Every year, the period around
Diwali and Chhath Puja sees a massive surge in travel, particularly on routes heading towards Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh. Finding a confirmed ticket on regular trains can become a significant challenge for millions of people looking to celebrate with their families. To address this predictable peak in demand, Indian Railways consistently introduces a fleet of 'Festival Special' trains. For 2026, several unreserved services have been announced, which are a boon for last-minute travellers as they do not require advance reservation. These trains primarily feature General Second Class coaches, allowing passengers to buy tickets at the station just before their journey. Eastern Railway, in particular, has announced multiple services from West Bengal hubs like Howrah and Sealdah to various destinations across Bihar.
Unreserved Specials from Howrah to Patna
To cater to the heavy passenger traffic between Kolkata and Patna, Eastern Railway has announced two pairs of unreserved special trains. The first, Train 03033, is scheduled to depart from Howrah at 5:40 PM and arrive in Patna at 5:00 AM the next morning. For the return journey, Train 03034 will leave Patna at 6:30 AM and reach Howrah at 10:15 PM the same day. Key stops on this route include Bandel, Bardhaman, Asansol, Jasidih, Kiul, and Mokama. A second service, Train 03035, will depart from Howrah at 11:45 PM and reach Patna at 10:45 AM the following day. Its return service, Train 03036, leaves Patna at 1:35 PM, arriving back in Howrah at 1:00 AM. This train will also halt at major stations like Asansol, Madhupur, Jasidih, and Patna Sahib, providing multiple boarding and de-boarding options for travellers.
Connectivity to North Bihar and Beyond
Recognizing the demand for travel to North Bihar, several special trains are being run to key destinations. The Sealdah-Jaynagar Special (03145/03146) provides a crucial link for passengers travelling towards Samastipur, Darbhanga, and Madhubani. Similarly, an unreserved special (03137) will run from Sealdah to Jaynagar, departing on November 13. For those heading towards Muzaffarpur, the Howrah-Muzaffarpur Special (03039/03040) is an option. This train departs Howrah at 5:40 PM, reaching its destination at 6:00 AM the next day. Another important route being served is the one to Gorakhpur via Bihar. The Howrah-Gorakhpur special (03037/03038) will stop at Barauni, Hajipur, Sonpur, and Chhapra.
Special Services from Delhi NCR
For the massive population from Bihar residing in the National Capital Region, special trains from Delhi are a lifeline during the festive season. Indian Railways has announced multiple services from Anand Vihar Terminal, New Delhi, and Delhi Junction stations to cities like Patna, Darbhanga, and Muzaffarpur. For instance, a special train (04066) will operate between Anand Vihar and Sabour (near Bhagalpur) on several dates in November. There is also a New Delhi–Darbhanga Special (04012/04011) and an Anand Vihar–Patna Express Special (04078/04077) scheduled to run multiple trips. In a significant move, a tri–weekly Vande Bharat Express festival special has also been announced between New Delhi and Patna Junction to offer a faster, more comfortable travel option.
