Chhath Puja preparations are reaching their peak across India as millions of devotees gear up for one of the country’s most sacred and vibrant festivals. Every year, people from across the nation travel back to their hometowns to celebrate this festival dedicated to the Sun God, Surya, and Chhathi Maiya. As anticipation builds, Indian Railways has stepped up its efforts to ensure smooth travel for devotees by announcing over 12,000 special trains to manage the massive festive rush expected over the next few days.
The initiative is being hailed as one of the largest travel operations in recent memory. To accommodate the unprecedented surge in passenger traffic, the Railways has implemented additional measures — including enhanced station facilities, crowd-control systems, temporary waiting halls, and expanded ticketing services. With this massive logistical plan in motion, the Railways aims to provide comfort and safety for millions of passengers traveling home to celebrate with their families.
Officials have emphasized that this year's arrangements are not limited to increasing the number of trains alone. The Indian Railways is also investing in improved passenger amenities and real-time coordination across zones to handle the surge efficiently. The scale of this operation reflects how deeply intertwined the Railways is with India's cultural and spiritual life — ensuring that every devotee reaches home in time for one of the most emotional and significant festivals in the Hindu calendar.
Indian Railways Launches Over 12,000 Special Trains for Chhath Puja
To manage the heavy rush during the Chhath Puja and Diwali season, the Indian Railways has announced the operation of over 12,000 special trains. The move comes as part of a national-level plan to ensure that no passenger is left stranded during this crucial festive period. This is one of the most ambitious travel arrangements undertaken by the Railways, spanning multiple zones and hundreds of routes across the country.
According to senior officials, the initiative was launched to cater to the increased demand from passengers traveling towards the eastern and northern parts of India, especially Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Jharkhand. These regions witness the highest movement of people during Chhath, as millions return home to participate in the sacred rituals. The trains will be scheduled across various dates to prevent overcrowding and maintain operational safety.
In addition, the Railways is closely monitoring passenger patterns and adding more trains dynamically based on real-time demand. Officials from Northern and East Central Railways have confirmed that additional services will be rolled out in the coming days to ensure maximum coverage during the festival window.
Enhanced Coordination Between Railway Zones
Indian Railways’ zonal divisions, including East Central, Northern, and Central zones, have been working in close coordination to manage the rush. The East Central Railway zone, which handles the highest outbound traffic during Chhath, has already introduced over 1,800 special services. Similarly, Central and Northern zones have added around 1,900 trains each to major routes connecting Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Patna, and Varanasi.
This collaborative approach ensures that the traffic is distributed effectively and that bottlenecks are minimized. Each zone is implementing its own plan for platform management, additional counters, on-board staff deployment, and maintenance of punctuality. The Railways has also established a central control room to track real-time passenger flow and train movements, ensuring immediate response in case of delays or disruptions.
Officials added that crowd-handling teams have been deployed at major junctions, with additional Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel stationed at high-traffic areas to maintain order and ensure safety during peak hours. Coordination between state police and local authorities has also been strengthened to manage passenger flow around major stations.
Infrastructure Upgrades and Passenger Facilities
Recognizing the challenges of handling such an enormous influx of passengers, the Railways has invested significantly in improving infrastructure. New temporary waiting halls and seating areas have been constructed at major stations such as Patna Junction, New Delhi, Kanpur, Lucknow, and Howrah. These facilities are aimed at reducing crowding on platforms and providing comfortable spaces for families waiting for their trains.
Queue management systems, LED information boards, and public announcement systems have also been upgraded to provide real-time updates about arrivals, delays, and platform changes. Extra sanitation teams have been deployed to ensure cleanliness and hygiene throughout the festive season, particularly in stations where footfall is expected to exceed one million passengers per day.
In addition, medical assistance booths and emergency response units have been established at key junctions to handle any health-related emergencies that might occur due to the rush. The Railways Minister personally inspected several major stations, emphasizing safety, sanitation, and passenger convenience as top priorities this year.
Railway Minister Reviews Arrangements
Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw recently visited the New Delhi Railway Station to review preparedness and take stock of the ongoing efforts. During his inspection, he praised the dedication of the railway workforce and highlighted the crucial role played by more than 12 lakh employees in ensuring smooth operations during the festive rush.
According to the Minister, nearly 1 crore passengers have already traveled on special trains since the start of October, and the number is expected to rise sharply as Chhath Puja approaches. He also stressed that punctuality, hygiene, and safety will remain the top focus throughout this period. The Railways, he said, is determined to ensure that every traveler reaches their home safely and on time for the festival.
Vaishnaw also appealed to passengers to book tickets through official IRCTC platforms and to avoid touts or illegal ticket sellers, ensuring a transparent and smooth booking process for all travelers.
Regional Highlights: Focus on Bihar and Uttar Pradesh
As Chhath Puja is primarily celebrated in Bihar, Jharkhand, and eastern Uttar Pradesh, these regions form the core of the Railways’ special service network. Patna, Gaya, Darbhanga, Muzaffarpur, and Bhagalpur are among the busiest stations, witnessing lakhs of passengers each day during the festival period. Additional trains have been scheduled to connect these cities with Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Ahmedabad — where large migrant populations reside.
Officials from the East Central Railway zone confirmed that several long-distance trains are being temporarily extended to cover more destinations in Bihar. For example, the Delhi–Muzaffarpur Express, which normally terminates at Muzaffarpur, will now be extended to Sitamarhi during the festive season. Similar extensions are being implemented on routes connecting Kolkata and Patna, and Mumbai and Darbhanga.
These strategic extensions ensure that smaller towns also receive adequate connectivity, reducing pressure on major terminals. Many of these trains have also been upgraded with additional sleeper and general compartments to maximize seating and accommodate unreserved travelers.
Special Safety and Cleanliness Measures
Given the scale of the operation, maintaining cleanliness and passenger safety is paramount. Railway officials have directed all zones to intensify sanitation drives at stations, platforms, and inside coaches. Bio-toilets are being cleaned more frequently, and food stalls and water kiosks are being inspected to ensure quality standards.
To handle large gatherings, RPF and GRP personnel are being deployed in greater numbers at key junctions. CCTV surveillance is being expanded to cover all entry and exit points, while mobile police units have been introduced to patrol crowded areas. The Railways has also set up special help desks and passenger information centers to assist travelers in real time.
In addition, emergency medical teams and ambulances are stationed at high-traffic stations, ready to respond to any health emergencies or accidents. The focus, according to officials, is not just on moving people efficiently but also on doing so safely and with dignity.
Delhi Gears Up for Chhath Puja 2025
In the national capital, the Delhi government has also joined hands with local railway authorities to facilitate the festival. Over 1,000 sites have been identified for Chhath celebrations, with major arrangements being made at Yamuna Ghat, Dwarka, Pitampura, and Sonia Vihar. Special coordination meetings have been held between local bodies, the Purvanchal Morcha, and Railways to streamline travel and local festivities.
Delhi’s Art, Culture and Language Minister announced a single-window clearance system for organizers to obtain permissions for hosting Chhath events. This year’s arrangements are expected to be among the largest ever in the city’s history, reflecting the growing participation of migrant communities in the capital’s cultural landscape.
To complement these efforts, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has announced extended metro services on select routes, ensuring devotees can reach ghats and stations safely and conveniently even late into the night.
Chhath Puja 2025: Dates, Tithi, and Timings
According to the Hindu calendar, Chhath Puja in 2025 will be celebrated from October 25 to October 28. The main day of worship, known as ‘Chhath’, falls on October 27. On this day, devotees will offer their evening Arghya to the setting sun, followed by prayers to the rising sun the next morning. The Shashthi Tithi begins at 6:04 AM on October 27 and ends at 7:59 AM on October 28.
Sunrise on Chhath Puja day is expected at 6:30 AM, while sunset will occur around 5:46 PM. During these sacred moments, devotees gather near rivers, ponds, and ghats to offer prayers, sing devotional songs, and perform rituals that symbolize gratitude and purity. It’s a festival that unites faith, family, and the natural elements in a spiritual harmony unique to Indian tradition.
For the Indian Railways, this period is more than a transport challenge — it’s a national responsibility to facilitate the journey of faith and reunion. Every train journey becomes part of a shared cultural experience, connecting people not just across geography, but through devotion and tradition.
The Spirit of Chhath Puja: A Journey of Faith and Togetherness
Chhath Puja, also known as Surya Shashti or Dala Puja, celebrates the life-giving energy of the Sun and honors nature’s elements. Observed mainly in Bihar, Jharkhand, eastern Uttar Pradesh, and Nepal’s Terai region, it has gained nationwide prominence in recent years. The festival is marked by fasting, bathing in holy rivers, and offering Arghya to the setting and rising sun.
What makes Chhath unique is its inclusivity — it transcends caste, class, and regional divides, bringing people together in collective worship. Families prepare traditional foods such as thekua and rice laddus, clean their homes, and decorate ghats with lights and flowers. For many, it’s a time to reflect, renew, and reconnect with both nature and loved ones.
Through the Railways’ unprecedented arrangements, millions will once again have the opportunity to celebrate together, underscoring how faith and infrastructure intertwine in India’s festive landscape. As devotees embark on their journeys home, the hum of trains becomes the sound of reunion — a moving testament to the nation’s shared culture and devotion.
Also Read: IVodafone Idea Taps Tejas, HFCL & HCL to Boost 4G-5G Rollout
About the Author:
Harshit Raj
