As Diwali approaches, the familiar scramble for train tickets intensifies, especially on routes to Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. To ease this tremendous festive rush, Indian Railways has announced a series of special unreserved train services.
Tackling the Festive Onslaught
Every year, the
period leading up to Diwali and Chhath Puja sees an unprecedented demand for train travel. Millions of people working and studying in metropolitan areas like Kolkata, Delhi, and Mumbai plan their journey home to celebrate with their families. This results in reserved tickets on popular routes getting sold out months in advance, leaving many with long waitlisted tickets or no travel options at all. To address this surge and provide a viable solution for last-minute travellers, various railway zones have introduced special festival trains, with a significant number being 'unreserved' services targeting the busiest corridors.
Understanding Unreserved Trains
For many travellers, the term 'unreserved' is a beacon of hope during the chaotic festival season. Unlike regular trains that require advance booking for a specific seat or berth, these special unreserved services allow passengers to travel without a prior reservation. Tickets for these trains can be purchased from the station's booking counters or through the official UTS mobile app shortly before departure. These trains are composed almost entirely of general second-class coaches, designed to accommodate the maximum number of people, providing a much-needed option for those who could not secure a confirmed ticket in reserved express trains.
Key Services from Eastern Railway
Eastern Railway has been proactive, announcing multiple unreserved special trains originating from Howrah, Sealdah, and Kolkata, primarily catering to passengers heading towards Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh. These services are scheduled for specific dates in November to clear the peak rush. Notable among them are:
- Sealdah to Jaynagar (03137/03138): This service connects Kolkata with a key town in Bihar, stopping at stations like Asansol and Darbhanga.
- Sealdah to Ballia (03139/03140): Catering to passengers for eastern UP, this train will halt at Jasidih, Kiul, and Khagaria, among others.
- Kolkata to Gorakhpur (03141/03142): This train provides a direct link to Gorakhpur, with important stoppages at Barauni, Samastipur and Muzaffarpur.
- Howrah to Patna (03033/03034 & 03035/03036): Two pairs of special trains will run between Howrah and the Bihar capital to manage the heavy passenger flow.
- Howrah to Muzaffarpur (03039/03040): This special service will improve connectivity to North Bihar.
Services from Northern and Other Zones
It's not just the eastern corridor that's seeing this welcome addition. Northern Railway has also rolled out a comprehensive schedule of festival special trains from Delhi, Anand Vihar, and Chandigarh. These trains connect the national capital and surrounding industrial hubs with major destinations like Patna, Barauni, Varanasi, and Gorakhpur. Many of these services are mixed-rake trains, featuring a combination of reserved AC and Sleeper coaches along with several unreserved general secondndndclass compartments to cater to a wider range of passengers. For example, Lucknow division alone is handling 50 pairs of festival specials, accounting for over 1,600 trips.
What Travellers Should Know
While these unreserved trains are a massive relief, passengers should prepare for crowded conditions. It is advisable to arrive at the station well in advance to purchase tickets and find space on the train. Using the official UTS mobile application can help avoid long queues at ticket counters. Passengers should always verify the exact departure dates, timings, and platform numbers through the NTES (National Train Enquiry System) app or the official Indian Railways website before heading to the station, as schedules for special trains can sometimes be subject to change. These services are specifically designed to clear the festive rush, so expect them to be packed, but they remain one of the most accessible ways to get home for the holidays.
