Western Railway to Operate 2,000 Additional Trains to Manage Chhath Puja Festive Rush News24 –
Amid the ongoing festive season, Indian Railways is leaving no stone unturned to enhance passenger convenience and safety. Special Puja trains are already running to facilitate travel, and officials have stated that passenger movement has significantly increased due to the festive rush. Additional trains are being operated to manage the surge ahead of Chhath Puja.
In conversation with ANI, Gupta confirmed that around 12,000 extra trains will be run by Indian Railways and Western Railway in particular is planning to run around 2,000 extra trains. “Around 12,000 extra trains will be run by Indian Railways. I am reviewing all the holding areas prepared for the passengers. We are running trains on demand. Around 2,000 extra trains are planned to run on the Western railways,” Gupta said. He also reviewed the arrangements and preparedness at railway stations across Gujarat to ensure smooth travel for passengers during the festive rush.
Special Trains Run by Western Railway
Western Railway is all set to make your festive journey on 24th October 2025 smoother and happier with Festival Special Trains! 🚆✨
Special services from Mumbai Central, Bandra Terminus, Udhna, Valsad, Sabarmati, and other stations are ready to ensure every passenger reaches… pic.twitter.com/1Oyj6pBYEf
— Western Railway (@WesternRly) October 23, 2025
North Western Railway Gears Up for Chhath Festival Rush
Earlier on Thursday, the North Western Railway (NWR) announced extensive preparations to handle the rush. The division plans to operate around 1,000 special train trips, which will include services within the NWR zone, trains traveling outside the region, and those passing through adjacent zones. General Manager, North Western Railway, Amitabh stated that key stations like Gandhinagar, Jaipur, Ajmer, and Jodhpur have designated holding areas for early-arriving passengers, all monitored by CCTV to ensure safety and smooth crowd management.
Meanwhile, in anticipation of the crowd surge during the Chhath Puja festivities, elaborate arrangements have been made by the Indian Railways to ensure a safe and comfortable journey for passengers. Indian Railways is ensuring that every passenger during their rail journey during the festive season is served well. Besides regular trains, 4,493 special train trips were made in the last 21 Days, averaging 213 trips daily, helping passengers reach home safely for ongoing festivities.
The Ministry of Railways reported that so far, a total of 11,865 trips (916 trains) have been notified, including 9,338 reserved and 2,203 unreserved trips, marking a significant increase from last year, when 7,724 Puja and Diwali special trains were run.