With the commencement of the four-day Chhath festival, thousands of families from Bihar and Purvanchal residing across Delhi-NCR face the pressing challenge of securing travel back to their native towns. Railway platforms are packed beyond capacity, regular express trains have exhausted their reservations, and interstate bus terminals are witnessing endless passenger queues. However, for those who missed booking tickets well in advance, options remain open. A coordinated transport strategy involving festival special trains and 77 heavily subsidised inter-state buses departing from Anand Vihar is now functional, providing last-minute travelers a viable way home on November 13.
Festival Calendar Fuels Urgent Travel Rush
Chhath Puja celebrations are officially underway from November 13 through November 16. The religious observances culminate with evening offerings to the setting sun on November 15, followed by the concluding morning prayers at sunrise on November 16. Given this concentrated calendar, passenger outflow from Delhi toward Bihar is projected to surge further over the next 48 to 72 hours. State authorities and transport undertakings are operating on high alert to handle this heavy transit volume.
Railway Special Operations and November 13 Timetable
Northern rail terminals including New Delhi, Anand Vihar, Shakurbasti, and Hazrat Nizamuddin have scheduled a significant number of unscheduled festival specials. Operational data indicates that approximately 29 special trains originated from the Delhi area on November 12. For November 13, another 24 special services are slated for departure toward eastern destinations. Because of extraordinary passenger numbers, confirmed berths or open seating in unreserved general coaches cannot be guaranteed, making prior verification via official railway apps essential before setting out.
Schedule and Stops for Vande Bharat Festival Special to Patna
Among the high-profile railway services on November 13, the Vande Bharat Festival Special offers a rapid connection between the national capital and the Bihar capital. Operating under train number 02436, this 16-coach rake departs New Delhi at 8:35 AM and reaches Patna Junction on the same day at 9:30 PM.
- Intermediate Halts: The premium service stops en route at Aligarh Junction, Kanpur Central, Prayagraj Junction, Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction, Buxar, and Ara before pulling into Patna.
- Passenger Advisory: Commuters planning to board this specific train must verify actual seat availability and live operational status through official ticketing systems prior to departure.
Connections to Muzaffarpur, Bhagalpur, and Regional Hubs
Beyond the Patna corridor, railway authorities have lined up alternative connections covering multiple districts in Bihar. One set of special trains operates six days a week except Saturdays until November 30, accompanied by two separate clone special trains running on a daily schedule through November 30. Direct festival connections are also departing from Anand Vihar to Muzaffarpur, Bhagalpur, and neighboring hubs. Passengers traveling toward Darbhanga, Saharsa, Sitamarhi, and Jaynagar can cross-reference designated special schedules. Travelers are strongly urged to match train numbers and operating dates before heading out.
Fleet of 77 Subsidised Buses Deployed at Anand Vihar ISBT
For passengers unable to secure railway accommodation, highway options have been reinforced. A collaborative initiative between the Delhi and Bihar state administrations has deployed 77 subsidised inter-state buses out of Anand Vihar ISBT, servicing five key administrative divisions in Bihar. This operational rollout prioritises regions experiencing the sharpest passenger concentration.
Division-wise allocation of the 77-bus fleet is distributed as follows
- Muzaffarpur Division: 36 buses have been assigned to handle peak northern Bihar traffic.
- Patna Division: 13 buses are earmarked for the state capital route.
- Purnia Division: 12 buses serve the eastern Seemanchal belt.
- Gaya Division: 10 buses operate toward the Magadh heartland.
- Darbhanga Division: 6 buses are dedicated to the Mithilanchal destination.
Fare Reductions Up to Rs 1,028 Across Categories
The state-backed bus fleet offers four distinct accommodation categories: non-AC seater, non-AC sleeper, AC seater, and AC sleeper. To relieve financial pressure on migrant workers and festive travelers, ticket fares have been slashed by amounts ranging between Rs 134 and Rs 1,028, depending upon route length and vehicle comfort levels.
Clear fare differences illustrate the scale of this price relief
- Patna Non-AC Seater: The current subsidized fare stands at approximately Rs 1,221, reduced substantially from the earlier benchmark of around Rs 1,615.
- Patna AC Seater: The discounted fare is fixed at roughly Rs 1,361, down from the previous commercial rate of approximately Rs 1,980.
Operations, Booking Counters, and Eco-Friendly Fleet
Unlike standard scheduled services, these 77 festival buses operate without a rigid public timetable. Departures take place continuously from morning through evening depending on on-ground queue volume and bus turnarounds. Commuters can purchase tickets directly at dedicated counters inside Anand Vihar ISBT or via partner digital reservation apps. On-site staff can confirm the next available departure and remaining berths. The fleet is composed exclusively of environmentally compliant BS-VI CNG and battery-electric buses to maintain low emissions during this mass transit surge.
Crucial Travel Protocols and Verification Guidelines
Surging footfall at Anand Vihar Railway Station and the adjoining bus terminal makes early arrival critical. Passengers must arrive well ahead of expected departure times to navigate crowd controls. Station authorities have temporarily halted the sale of platform tickets across major Delhi terminals, ensuring that only individuals carrying verified travel tickets are granted entry into station premises. Rail passengers should track dynamic movement through the National Train Enquiry System (NTES) mobile app, the official IRCTC portal, or by calling the 139 railway helpline. Double-checking train numbers, travel dates, boarding terminals, and final destinations will prevent last-minute complications.
