To tackle the massive festive rush for Durga Puja 2026, Indian Railways is planning special trains to West Bengal. Major routes like Delhi-Howrah and Mumbai-Howrah are seeing waitlists exceed 290.

  • Indian Railways will run special trains to manage the Durga Puja festive rush.
  • Waitlists on major routes like Delhi-Howrah have crossed 290.
  • Reservation office timings in Kolkata and Howrah have been revised for Oct 19-21.

In anticipation of the massive influx of passengers for Durga Puja 2026, the Eastern Railway is formulating plans to operate special trains on key routes to West Bengal. The festival, scheduled from October 16 to October 21, traditionally sees millions of people traveling back to their hometowns, creating an unprecedented strain on the existing rail network.

Shivram Majhi, Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) of Eastern Railway, confirmed that special services will be introduced on routes experiencing the highest passenger demand. This strategic move aims to provide additional capacity and alleviate the pressure on regular services which are already operating at peak capacity.

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Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that the spike in demand during the Durga Puja period is one of the most significant logistical challenges for the Indian Railways annually. Failure to deploy additional services can lead to massive passenger distress and safety concerns due to overcrowding. The timely announcement of special trains is crucial for passenger planning.

The deployment of special trains is a critical intervention to manage the seasonal surge and ensure the seamless movement of millions during India's biggest festivals.

Critical Demand on Major Routes

Current booking data reveals a dire situation for many travelers. On the Delhi-Howrah route, the Kolkata Rajdhani (12306) is seeing a General Waitlist in Third AC exceeding 200. Similarly, the Sealdah Rajdhani (12314) has a waitlist surpassing 290, with some classes already showing a 'REGRET' status.

RouteKey TrainCurrent Status
Delhi-HowrahKolkata RajdhaniWaitlist > 200
Mumbai-HowrahGitanjali ExpressSleeper Waitlist > 120
Chennai-HowrahCoromandel ExpressREGRET/High Waitlist
Guwahati-HowrahVande Bharat SleeperWaitlist > 150

The Mumbai-Howrah and Chennai-Howrah routes are also witnessing extreme demand. The Gitanjali Express (12859) and Kolkata Mail (12322) are seeing significant waitlists in Sleeper and AC classes. Furthermore, the Guwahati-Howrah route, including the Howrah-Kamakhya Vande Bharat Sleeper, is seeing waitlists cross 150.

In terms of administrative changes, reservation offices in the Kolkata and Howrah areas will operate in a single shift from 8 am to 2 pm on October 19, 20, and 21. However, major terminals like Howrah, Sealdah, and Kolkata Terminal will maintain their regular operating hours to assist travelers.

Did You Know?: The 'REGRET' status in IRCTC means the waiting list has reached its maximum permissible limit, and no more bookings can be accepted for that specific train and class.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: When is Durga Puja being celebrated in 2026?
Durga Puja 2026 will be celebrated from October 16 to October 21.

Q2: What does the 'REGRET' status mean on IRCTC?
It indicates that the waiting list for that train and class has reached its maximum capacity.