Ahead of Diwali and Chhath Puja, Indian Railways unveiled its plan to operate 12,000 special trains in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. While speaking to the media on Tuesday, the Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced that the deployment of 150 unreserved trains would address the last-minute rush during the festive season.
“Over 10,000 special train trips have already been notified,” the minister said. These new trains will accommodate roughly 2-3 crore passengers. These special trains would start running from October 1 and would continue till November 15. The arrangements would ensure higher passenger movement covering the entire festive season.
Vande Bharat Sleeper Trains Ready For Rollout
Meanwhile, Vaishnaw highlighted that over 90% punctuality has already been accomplished in 29 out of 70 divisions across the country. He also announced that the eagerly awaited Vande Bharat Sleeper trains are ready for rollout. The first rake has already been prepared, while the second one is expected to arrive by October 15.
New Rajpura-Mohali Railway Line In Punjab
The Union Railways Minister also announced a new Rajpura-Mohali railway line in Punjab. According to an official statement, the railway line would be developed at Rs 443 crore, covering 18 km. It will offer seamless connectivity to the Malwa region with Chandigarh.
The direct connection would cut travel by approximately 66 km. He also proposed a new Vande Bharat train connecting Firozpur Cantt, Bhatinda, Patiala, and Delhi. This year, Diwali falls on October 20. Chhath Puja will be observed on Thursday, 30 October 2025.
