Special trains to handle Diwali, Chhath rush

Spl trains Chandigarh: As thousands prepare to head home for Dussehra , Diwali and Chhath celebrations, the Railways has announced two special trains from Chandigarh to Patna and Varanasi to accommodate the annual festive rush towards Bihar and eastern UP. The additional services, to run during Oct and Nov, are aimed at easing pressure on regular long-distance trains, where waiting lists typically swell during the festive season. Railway officials said passenger traffic to Bihar and UP witnesses a sharp spike ahead of major festivals, leading to heavy demand for confirmed berths. The special trains are expected to offer relief to travellers and reduce overcrowding on existing services. Yashanjit Singh, senior divisional commercial manager, Ambala Division, said the trains had been planned keeping the festive rush in mind and bookings had already commenced. Chandigarh-Patna special Train no. 04512 Chandigarh-Patna Junction Special Express will run every Thursday from Oct 1 to Nov 26, completing nine trips. It will depart Chandigarh at 11.35 pm and arrive at Patna Junction at 9.15 pm the following day. The return service, train no. 04511 Patna-Chandigarh Special Express, will operate every Friday from Oct 2 to Nov 27. It will leave Patna at 11.15 pm and reach Chandigarh at 9.20 pm the next day. The train will halt at Ambala Cantt, Saharanpur, Roorkee, Moradabad, Bareilly, Shahjahanpur, Hardoi, Alamnagar, Utraitia, Sultanpur, Varanasi, Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction, Buxar, Ara and Danapur. Chandigarh-Varanasi special Train no. 04228 Chandigarh-Varanasi Junction Special Express will run twice a week, on Mondays and Fridays, from Oct 2 to Nov 30. It will depart Chandigarh at 6am and reach Varanasi Junction at 12.55am the following day. The return service, train no. 04227 Varanasi-Chandigarh Special Express, will run on Thursdays and Sundays from Oct 1 to Nov 29. It will leave Varanasi at 11.05am and arrive in Chandigarh at 4.20am the next day. The train will comprise AC 2-tier, AC 3-tier, sleeper and general coaches, and halt at major stations including Pratapgarh, Rae Bareli, Lucknow, Shahjahanpur, Bareilly, Moradabad, Roorkee, Saharanpur and Ambala Cantt. You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Chandigarh | Silver Rate in Chandigarh | Bank Holidays in Chandigarh | Public Holidays in Chandigarh | Chandigarh AQI | Weather in Chandigarh | Petrol Price in Chandigarh | Diesel Price in Chandigarh | CNG Price in Chandigarh | LPG Price in Chandigarh Stay updated with the latest Chandigarh news. Download the TOI App.