In an effort to facilitate smooth homecoming journeys for migrant families ahead of Diwali and Chhath Puja, railway authorities have deployed an extensive timetable of festive special train services. The seasonal rush regularly exhausts reservation berths on standard long-distance routes, creating sprawling waitlists. To absorb this enormous commuter surge, dozens of dedicated festival services are now operational from terminal hubs across the National Capital Region, Punjab, and Madhya Pradesh towards key eastern destinations such as Gorakhpur, Chhapra, Howrah, Patna, and Darbhanga.
Dedicated Services Connecting the Capital to Eastern Terminals
A significant portion of the extra operational capacity is anchored across Delhi terminals to ease pressure on high-demand passenger corridors. Travelers heading towards eastern Uttar Pradesh can utilize special train number 04022, operating between New Delhi and Gorakhpur Junction on November 6 and 13, 2026 (with departures also scheduled on November 6 and 11), setting off at 14:30 (02:30 pm) to reach its terminus at 04:10 am the next morning. In reverse, train number 04021 will depart Gorakhpur on November 7 and 14 at 07:00 am, arriving in New Delhi at 11:00 pm.
To support connectivity into Bihar, Anand Vihar Terminal is operating train number 04058 towards Chhapra Junction on November 6, 10, 13, and 17, departing just past midnight at 12:20 am to pull into Chhapra at 07:20 pm. The reciprocal service, train number 04057, leaves Chhapra at 10:10 pm on the same cycle dates to arrive back at Anand Vihar at 05:20 pm the following evening. This bi-weekly schedule runs on Tuesdays and Fridays through November 17, offering a structured alternative to heavily overbooked regular express trains.
For passengers traveling between Delhi and West Bengal, train number 04054 departs New Delhi for Howrah Junction at 06:15 pm on November 4, 5, 7, 11, and 12, concluding its run at 11:40 pm the next day. The return train, number 04053, leaves Howrah at 01:40 am on November 6, 7, 9, 13, and 14, entering New Delhi at 08:20 am the following morning. Meanwhile, passengers journeying to the Mithila belt can access special train number 04078 from Delhi Junction to Darbhanga, departing on November 10 at 02:00 pm (14:00) to arrive at 06:00 pm the following day, with train 04077 returning from Darbhanga on November 11 at 09:00 pm to reach Delhi at 11:55 pm the following evening.
Extended Links for Mau, Sabaur, and Durg Corridors
Regional passenger traffic from the capital is also being catered to via targeted direct routes into smaller junction cities. Anand Vihar Terminal links with Mau via train number 05088 on November 4 and 11, departing at 07:15 pm and arriving at 02:00 pm the following afternoon. In the opposite direction, train number 05087 departs Mau at 10:30 pm on November 3 and 10, reaching Anand Vihar at 05:00 pm the following day.
Connecting travelers to the Bhagalpur district, train number 04066 leaves Anand Vihar for Sabaur at 05:00 am on November 6, 7, 11, and 12, completing its journey by 07:00 am the next morning. Train 04065 provides the return trip from Sabaur on November 7, 8, 12, and 13 at 11:00 am, terminating at Anand Vihar at 01:45 pm the following day. Additionally, an inter-regional link connects Hazrat Nizamuddin and Durg: train 08751 departs Durg on November 15 at 10:45 am, arriving at Nizamuddin at 11:10 am the next day, while train 08752 departs Hazrat Nizamuddin on November 16 at 12:30 pm, reaching Durg at 01:45 pm the next day.
Direct Operations from Industrial Belts in Punjab and Madhya Pradesh
Recognizing the heavy concentration of migrant workers traveling from northern industrial centers, rail operators have introduced point-to-point connections bypasssing Delhi entirely. From Ludhiana Junction, train number 04660 departs for Purnea Junction at 12:00 pm on November 5 and 9, arriving at 01:45 pm the next day. Return train 04659 departs Purnea on November 6 and 10 at 11:30 pm, finishing its run at Ludhiana at 06:50 am on the third day. Similarly, train 04658 connects Ludhiana to Saharsa Junction on November 10, leaving at 05:35 pm and arriving at 23:50 pm the following night, with return train 04657 departing Saharsa on November 12 at 03:50 am to reach Ludhiana at 08:35 am the next day.
Direct connectivity from Chandigarh Junction to Patna Junction is maintained by train number 04510 on November 6, setting out at 10:00 pm and terminating at 21:15 pm the next evening. Return train 05509 leaves Patna on November 7 at 11:15 pm, reaching Chandigarh at 21:40 pm the following night. In central India, Rani Kamalapati railway station in Bhopal connects directly to Gorakhpur Junction via train number 01663 on November 7, departing at 06:45 pm to arrive at 12:30 pm the following day. The reverse run, train 01664, leaves Gorakhpur on November 7 at 07:50 am and reaches Bhopal's Rani Kamalapati station at 01:15 am the next morning.
Key Operational Advisory for Travelers
Railway administrations have advised all intending passengers to proactively verify scheduled arrival times, en route commercial stoppages, and coach configurations before reaching terminals. Real-time train tracking and schedule validations can be checked through official digital reservation channels or by utilizing the rail enquiry helpline 139. Taking advantage of these extra designated departures will assist holiday travelers in securing reliable transport home without contending with unmanageable booking waiting lists.
