To manage the massive festive rush for Diwali and Chhath Puja, Indian Railways has announced 8 pairs of special trains heading to Bihar. This comes amid widespread passenger complaints regarding IRCTC booking glitches.

  • 8 pairs of special trains announced to ease festive congestion in Bihar.
  • Services will run between September 16 and November 30.
  • The announcement follows major technical glitches reported on the IRCTC platform.

In a significant move to accommodate the massive influx of passengers traveling to Bihar for the upcoming Diwali and Chhath Puja festivals, the Indian Railways has announced the operation of 8 pairs of special trains. This decision aims to alleviate the heavy pressure on regular train services and address the growing demand for travel during the festive season.

The announcement follows intense frustration among commuters on social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter). As the Advance Reservation Period (ARP) opened for travel dates in November, many passengers reported that the IRCTC website and mobile app were crashing. Users complained of seeing messages such as 'High System Load', 'Error', and 'Regret' almost immediately after the booking window opened at 8:00 AM, making it nearly impossible for common citizens to secure tickets.

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Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that the seasonal migration to Bihar during Chhath Puja is one of the largest human movements in the country. The sudden surge in demand tests the limits of both physical railway infrastructure and digital booking capacities. While the introduction of special trains provides much-needed physical capacity, the recurring technical failures of the IRCTC platform highlight a critical need for digital infrastructure upgrades to maintain public trust.

Special trains are a vital safety valve for the festive season, but the reliability of the digital booking ecosystem remains a primary concern for millions of travelers.

Detailed Schedule of Special Trains

The special services will operate across various routes, connecting major cities to Bihar. Key highlights include:

Route (Outbound)Route (Return)Frequency/Days
Delhi to SitamarhiSitamarhi to DelhiWeekly (Thu/Sat)
Rishikesh to MuzaffarpurMuzaffarpur to RishikeshWeekly (Sun/Mon)
Chandigarh to PatnaPatna to ChandigarhWeekly (Thu/Fri)
Anand Vihar to PatliputraPatliputra to Anand ViharDaily Service
Anand Vihar to Laukaha BazarLaukaha Bazar to Anand ViharRegular/Daily

These trains will run between September 16 and November 30. By connecting cities like Delhi, Rishikesh, and Chandigarh directly to Bihar, the Railways hopes to reduce the massive waiting lists that typically plague regular express trains during this period.

Did You Know?: The Chhath Puja festival attracts millions of devotees to the banks of the Ganges, making it one of the most significant periods of rail travel in India.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How can I book tickets for these special trains?
Tickets can be booked through the official IRCTC website or the IRCTC Rail Connect mobile application.

2. Which cities will be most benefited by these special trains?
Major beneficiaries include passengers traveling from Delhi, Chandigarh, Rishikesh, and Firozpur towards Bihar.