To accommodate the surge of passengers returning home for Diwali and Chhath Puja, railway authorities have introduced an additional transit option between Jharkhand and Bihar. Festive demand routinely leads to fully booked berths and exhausting waiting lists across regular passenger routes. Addressing this annual commuter strain, South Eastern Railway has approved a festival special train linking Ranchi with Purnia Court to provide dedicated seats and smoother travel throughout the peak holiday period.
Three Weekly Round Trips Slated for November
Official operational directives issued on October 30, 2026, outline the timetable for train numbers 08625 and 08626, operating as the Ranchi-Purnia Court-Ranchi Special. The service will execute three round trips across November, structured specifically around the festive calendar to facilitate timely arrivals for celebrations.
Services originating from Jharkhand under train number 08625 will depart Ranchi every Friday from November 6 through November 20, 2026. Conversely, the return leg operated by train number 08626 will start from Purnia Court every Saturday, spanning from November 7 to November 21, 2026.
Timetable and Operational Timings
According to the notified schedule, train number 08625 will start its journey from Ranchi every Friday at 6:00 PM. Travelling overnight across the regional network, it will pull into Purnia Court the following day, Saturday, at 11:30 AM.
For the return journey, train number 08626 is scheduled to leave Purnia Court on Saturday afternoons at 3:00 PM. It will reach Ranchi the next morning, Sunday, at 9:45 AM. This overnight schedule allows passengers to travel comfortably without losing an entire working day on either side of the journey.
Designated Halts Along the Route
The festival service connects significant mining hubs, pilgrimage destinations, and transit junctions across both states. Key stops include Muri, Bokaro Steel City, Chandrapura, Katrasgarh, and Dhanbad before traversing Jasidih, Madhupur, Deoghar, Banka, Bhagalpur, Sultanganj, Bariarpur, Munger, Khagaria, Mansi, Saharsa, Dauram Madhepura, and Banmankhi, alongside other intermediate locations.
Composition of 22 ICF Coaches and On-Board Amenities
To maximize seating capacity, the train will run with an assembly of 22 ICF coaches. The rake incorporates sleeper class, unreserved general seating, and air-conditioned accommodation to suit diverse passenger preferences. Railway teams will also ensure routine amenities such as adequate drinking water and sanitation across the run. The arrangement provides meaningful travel relief, especially for individuals and working families based around Ranchi heading to Bihar for cultural celebrations.
