The annual Diwali travel surge sees millions journeying home. To manage the immense rush to Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, Indian Railways has announced a series of unreserved special trains, offering a crucial lifeline for last-minute travellers.
Understanding the Festive Rush
Every year,
the period surrounding Diwali and Chhath Puja becomes one of the busiest for Indian Railways. Millions of people working and studying in major metropolitan areas like Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata travel back to their hometowns, particularly in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. This leads to an unprecedented demand for train tickets, with reserved seats on regular trains being booked months in advance. The resulting long waiting lists leave countless passengers in a difficult position. To address this, various railway zones announce 'Festival Special' trains. The latest announcements focus on unreserved services, which are a massive relief for those who could not secure a confirmed ticket and need to travel on a budget.
What 'Unreserved Special' Means for You
Unlike regular reserved trains, these 'Unreserved Special' services do not require passengers to book a seat or berth in advance. This is a game-changer for last-minute travel plans. Tickets for these trains can be purchased from the ticket counters at the railway station shortly before departure. For a more convenient experience, passengers can use the 'UTS on Mobile' app, the official Indian Railways application for unreserved ticketing. This allows you to book your ticket digitally, avoiding long queues. These trains typically consist of General Second Class coaches and Second Class cum Guard's Brake Van (SLRD) coaches. While they provide an essential service, travellers should be prepared for significant crowds, as these trains are designed to accommodate the maximum number of people.
Key Unreserved Routes from Eastern India
Eastern Railway has been proactive, announcing several pairs of unreserved special trains to connect West Bengal with key destinations in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh during November. These services are crucial for managing the post-Diwali and Chhath Puja return rush. Key services announced include trains from Howrah and Sealdah to cities like Patna, Gorakhpur, Muzaffarpur, and Jaynagar. For instance, special trains like the Sealdah–Jaynagar (03137/03138) and Kolkata–Gorakhpur (03141/03142) are scheduled for specific dates in November. These trains will make single trips in each direction and are composed almost entirely of general second–class coaches to maximize capacity.
Train Details for UP and Bihar Routes
Here are some of the specific unreserved special trains announced by Eastern Railway to run in November 2026:
Howrah–Patna Special (03033/03034): This service connects Howrah and Patna with key stops including Asansol, Jasidih, and Kiul.
Howrah–Muzaffarpur Special (03039/03040): This train will also stop at major junctions like Barauni and Samastipur, facilitating travel to central Bihar.
Sealdah–Ballia Special (03139/03140): Scheduled for November 11 and 12, this train serves passengers traveling towards eastern UP.
Kolkata–Gorakhpur Special (03141/03142): This service will run on November 13 and 14, passing through important stations like Muzaffarpur, Bettiah, and Narkatiaganj.
Passengers are strongly advised to check the exact departure and arrival times for these trains using the NTES app or the official railway inquiry website before planning their journey, as schedules for special trains can be subject to change.
Not Just Unreserved : Other Special Services
Beyond the unreserved options , Indian Railways has also rolled out a large number of reserved special trains , including Vande Bharat Express services , to cater to the festive demand . For example , a tri–weekly Vande Bharat festival special is running between New Delhi and Patna until late November . Northern Railway alone has planned thousands of special train trips for the season , covering high–demand routes from Delhi and Chandigarh to Patna , Varanasi , Barauni , and more . While these are reserved services , they add significant capacity to the network . South Central Railway has also announced special trains with available berths from Telangana towards UP and Bihar . This multi–pronged approach of running both reserved and unreserved specials aims to ensure as many people as possible can travel home for the holidays .
