Understanding Festival Special Trains
Every year, to manage the immense travel demand during festivals like Chhath Puja, Indian Railways operates hundreds of additional trains. These are known as 'Festival Special Trains'. They are temporary services added on high-demand routes, especially
connecting major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru to destinations in Bihar, Jharkhand, and Eastern Uttar Pradesh. These trains are identifiable by their unique five-digit numbers, which typically start with a '0'. Since they are announced closer to the festival dates, they offer a crucial second chance for those who couldn't secure tickets on regular trains.
Where to Find Official Announcements
The first step to booking a special train is knowing when it's announced. Indian Railways' zonal divisions, like Northern Railway or Central Railway, issue press releases to announce these services. These announcements are the most reliable source of information. You can follow the official social media handles of the Ministry of Railways and its various zones. Additionally, the National Train Enquiry System (NTES) app and official railway websites are updated with these new train schedules. Major news outlets also report these announcements promptly, so keeping an eye on the news can give you a timely alert.
Step-by-Step: Searching on IRCTC
Once announced, these special trains appear in the regular search on the IRCTC website and the Rail Connect app. There is no separate portal for them. Simply enter your origin and destination stations and your desired travel dates. The special trains will show up in the search results alongside the regular, already waitlisted trains. Look for the train numbers starting with '0' to identify them. Since these trains are announced in phases, don't be discouraged if you don't see any at first. It's a good practice to check the IRCTC portal daily in the weeks leading up to the festival.
Pro-Tips for a Successful Search
Flexibility is your greatest asset during the festival rush. If your direct route is fully booked, consider a 'broken journey'. This involves booking a ticket to a major intermediate station and then a second ticket from there to your final destination. Also, check for availability from nearby stations; sometimes a train originating from a less crowded station has more available seats. Be flexible with your travel dates as well. Travelling a day or two before the absolute peak can significantly increase your chances of getting a confirmed ticket.
Booking Windows and Tatkal
Unlike regular trains that can be booked up to 120 days in advance, special trains have a much shorter booking window, often opening just a few weeks or even days before the journey. This means you need to be alert and act fast once bookings open. The Tatkal quota, for last-minute travel, is another option but is fiercely competitive during Chhath. Tatkal bookings for AC classes open at 10 AM and for non-AC classes at 11 AM one day before the train's departure. Not all special trains have a Tatkal quota, so it is not a guaranteed fallback option.
Final Checks and Alternative Options
Before booking, always double-check the train's schedule, including its running days, as special trains often don't run daily. If train travel seems impossible, start looking at alternative modes of transport early. Bus services, both state-run and private, also increase their frequency on popular routes during the festival season. While more expensive, flights to nearby airports can also be a viable option if booked well in advance. The key is to have a primary plan for train travel but also a backup plan involving other modes of transport.
