To handle the Diwali and Chhath Puja 2025 rush, the Indian Railways (IR) has introduced five pairs of Festival Special trains for passengers traveling to Bihar.
This initiative aims to increase capacity and ensure smooth travel for thousands of home-bound passengers.
Routes and Schedules
The special trains will run between Firozpur, Ludhiana, Katihar, Supaul, and Patna, covering key stations in northern and eastern India.
Firozpur–Patna Express (04602/04601): Every Wednesday from Firozpur and Thursday from Patna, between October 22 and November 20, 2025.
Ludhiana–Supaul Express (04656/04655): Temporary service from October 22–25, three trips in each direction.
Ludhiana–Katihar Express (04658/04657): Departs October 22 from Ludhiana and October 24 from Katihar.
Ludhiana–Katihar Express (04660/04659): Operates October 23 and 25, with extra sleeper and general coaches.
Ludhiana–Patna Express (04664/04663): Runs October 24 from Ludhiana and October 26 from Patna.
These trains will stop at major junctions like Ambala Cantt, Saharanpur, Moradabad, Bareilly, Lucknow, Varanasi, Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Jn, Buxar, Ara, Danapur, Patna, and Katihar, as well as intermediate stations such as Chhapra, Gorakhpur, and Hajipur, improving connectivity across Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.
Coaches and Passenger Comfort
The trains will feature AC, Sleeper, and General Second Class coaches, with reserved and unreserved options.
This variety ensures comfort for all passenger segments and helps manage overcrowding during the festive season.
The Northern Railway emphasized that these special trains are part of a broader plan to manage high passenger flow, reduce congestion, and provide relief for passengers traveling home to Bihar before Diwali.
