12,000 Special Trains to Run for Diwali and Chhath Festivities, Enhancements Announced

In response to the upcoming Diwali and Chhath Puja festivities, Indian Railways will operate 12,000 special trains to facilitate passenger travel, particularly in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. The Union Railways Minister detailed the addition of 150 unreserved trains to accommodate the increased demand during the festive period. These special trains are expected to serve between 2 and 3 crore passengers, running from October 1 to November 15 to cover the entire festive season. The ministry also highlighted significant achievements in train punctuality across various divisions. Moreover, the much-anticipated Vande Bharat Sleeper trains are ready for deployment, with the first rake already prepared and the second scheduled to arrive by October 15. In a move to improve regional connectivity, a new railway line between Rajpura and Mohali in Punjab has been announced, with an 18 km track and an investment of Rs 443 crore, promising better access to the Malwa region and reduced travel distances to Chandigarh. A new Vande Bharat train connecting Firozpur Cantt, Bhatinda, Patiala, and Delhi has been proposed.