Rail passengers traveling from the national capital to Bihar for the upcoming festival stretch of Durga Puja, Diwali, and Chhath Puja have received a major connectivity boost. In order to manage the massive passenger rush and long waiting lists that typically build up on eastern routes during this season, Indian Railways has decided to introduce a dedicated Vande Bharat Festival Special service linking New Delhi and Patna Junction. The service will operate from October 16, 2026, through November 26, 2026, giving homebound travelers an additional fast and fully air-conditioned transit choice.
Train Numbers and Detailed Operating Schedule
The festival service has been assigned specific identifying numbers for both directions. The service originating from New Delhi toward Patna will run as train number 02252, while the return leg originating from Patna heading into New Delhi will operate under train number 02251. Passengers on board both trains will have the choice between AC Chair Car and premium Executive Chair Car seating arrangements.
From the national capital, train number 02252 will kick off with preliminary departures on October 16 and October 18. Beginning October 21 and continuing through November 25, it will transition into its fixed tri-weekly schedule, departing New Delhi every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday. For the return direction, train number 02251 will make initial runs from Patna on October 17 and October 19. It will then maintain a steady schedule from October 22 through November 26, operating out of Patna every Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday. With 18 departures scheduled in each direction, the service will complete a combined total of 36 single trips over its operational window.
Timetable and Stoppages for New Delhi to Patna (Train 02252)
Train number 02252 will depart New Delhi at 08:35 am. Its journey through Uttar Pradesh begins with an initial halt at Aligarh Junction, arriving at 10:21 am and departing at 10:23 am. The train is timed to reach Kanpur Central at 01:30 pm for a five-minute stop, moving forward at 01:35 pm. Continuing on, it will arrive at Prayagraj Junction at 03:34 pm, departing at 03:50 pm following a sixteen-minute stop.
The next major intermediate operational point is Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction, where the train arrives at 06:00 pm and leaves at 06:10 pm. Crossing into Bihar, the train halts at Buxar from 07:26 pm to 07:28 pm, followed by Ara from 08:10 pm to 08:12 pm. The service reaches its terminal destination, Patna Junction, at 09:30 pm on the same evening.
Timetable and Stoppages for Patna to New Delhi (Train 02251)
On the return corridor, train number 02251 will pull out of Patna Junction at 10:00 am. It stops at Ara from 10:38 am to 10:40 am, and then at Buxar with an arrival at 11:25 pm and departure at 11:27 pm. Proceeding westwards, the train halts at Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction from 01:10 pm to 01:20 pm.
Passengers will reach Prayagraj Junction at 03:35 pm, with departure set for 03:40 pm. The halt at Kanpur Central is timed from 05:50 pm to 05:55 pm. The train then reaches Aligarh Junction at 08:53 pm, departing at 08:55 pm, before concluding its run at New Delhi railway station at 11:30 pm.
Important Points Before Booking Tickets
Because these special services are planned specifically to absorb surging passenger demand during peak celebrations, travelers organizing their journeys are advised to verify seat availability, reservation status, and operational schedules on their chosen dates through official railway channels before completing their bookings.
