With the festive season approaching, India is preparing for a vibrant celebration, including Navratri and Diwali. In a bid to ease travel for those heading home, Indian Railways has announced the addition of 6,000 train services. This initiative aims to minimize traffic congestion and ensure a comfortable journey for passengers. Additionally, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw stated that 12,500 extra coaches will also be introduced to support the increased demand.

Special trains

Last year's festive season saw the operation of 4,429 additional trains, but traffic congestion was still an issue. To improve the situation this year, Indian Railways will run 6,000 extra trains. Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw stated that this initiative will allow 1 crore passengers to travel smoothly to their hometowns, ensuring they can participate in puja and celebrations without any hassle.

Durga Puja begins on October 9, followed by Diwali on October 31, and Chhat Puja on November 8 and 9. To accommodate these festivities, additional trains will be provided, according to Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. He also mentioned that there will be special ticket checks to curb ticketless travel, ensuring a smoother experience for all passengers.

During festivals, incidents of ticketless travellers have created challenges for those with valid reservations. To address this issue, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw emphasised that measures are in place to prevent such occurrences. Recognising that many passengers struggle to secure tickets during the festive season, the decision to run additional trains aims to provide a smoother travel experience for everyone.

Additional trains will be operational in most states, with a particularly high number for Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and West Bengal. Alongside this, safety has been prioritised. Instructions have been issued to ensure there are no lapses in train services or the quality of food served on board.