Northeast Frontier Railway (NRF) runs 48 festival special trains for 613 trips to manage Diwali and Chhath Puja passenger rush, connecting major destinations across Northeast, North Bengal, Bihar, and beyond, ensuring smooth and safe travel during the festive season.
In anticipation of the heavy passenger rush during the festive season, including Diwali and the upcoming Chhath Puja, the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) has stepped up operations by running 48 festival special trains covering a total of 613 trips across its jurisdiction between September and December.
According to NFR’s Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO), Kapinjal Kishore Sharma, these special trains have been deployed to ensure smooth travel for devotees, tourists, and other passengers. “To manage the massive rush during Diwali and Chhath Puja this year, NFR is operating 48 festival special trains for a total of 613 trips across key routes in our network,” he said on Monday.
The festival specials are connecting several prominent destinations including Katihar, Sonpur, Dauram, Madhepura, Agartala, New Tinsukia, SMVT Bengaluru, Amritsar, Patna, Dibrugarh, Gorakhpur, Silchar, Kolkata, Guwahati, Ranchi, Charlapalli, Mumbai Central, Agra Cantt, Jogbani, Shalimar, and Kamakhya, among others. These trains operate on daily, weekly, tri-weekly schedules, or on specific weekdays, depending on passenger demand and operational feasibility.
Sharma emphasized that the running of these special trains will significantly help in clearing the extra rush of passengers traveling to and from the Northeast, North Bengal, and Bihar. “We advise passengers to check detailed timings, stoppages, and coach compositions from official Railway sources before planning their journey,” he added.
During Diwali and Kali Puja, thousands of devotees from across India, including foreign tourists, visit key religious sites such as the 524-year-old Tripura Sundari Temple at Udaipur in southern Tripura’s Gomati district, and the Kamakhya Temple in Guwahati. Both temples are revered Shakti Peethas, attracting large crowds every year. Similarly, Chhath Puja is celebrated with fervor across most Northeastern states, further contributing to the seasonal surge in passenger traffic.
The Northeast Frontier Railway operates across the Northeastern states, seven districts of West Bengal, and five districts of north Bihar. The railway network spans over 7,362 Track Kilometres (TKM), playing a crucial role in connecting remote regions to major urban centers. With the festival season underway, the special train operations are expected to enhance convenience, reduce travel congestion, and ensure a safe journey for passengers across the region.
Railway authorities have also highlighted the importance of advanced bookings, especially for long-distance journeys to popular destinations, and have encouraged travelers to plan their trips in advance to avoid last-minute inconveniences. Special arrangements, including extra coaches and extended train schedules, have been made wherever necessary to cater to the increased demand.
With these measures, the NFR is demonstrating its commitment to facilitating hassle-free travel during one of the busiest travel seasons of the year. Passengers are advised to regularly monitor updates from official railway websites, apps, and local stations to stay informed about train schedules and availability.
| Also Read: NFR Launches Diwali Special Trains for Pilgrims in Tripura |
As festivals like Diwali and Chhath Puja continue to attract massive crowds, the proactive steps taken by NFR are expected to ensure that devotees and tourists can celebrate without facing undue travel difficulties, reflecting the railway’s focus on safety, efficiency, and passenger comfort.
