Archive · 29 Aug 2026
Railways Plans Special Trains Amid Durga Puja Demand
Many people travel to West Bengal during Durga Puja to celebrate with their families.
In 2026, the festival will take place from October 16 to October 21.
Many regular trains going to Bengal are already very crowded.
Some trains have hundreds of people waiting for tickets.
Other trains cannot accept more waitlisted passengers, which is called “REGRET.”
Eastern Railway plans to add special trains on routes with the greatest demand.
These trains should give passengers more travel choices.
Reservation offices in Kolkata and Howrah will have shorter hours on three festival dates.
Counters at Howrah, Sealdah and Kolkata Terminal will continue operating normally.
Eastern Railway plans special trains on routes with high passenger demand during the Durga Puja holidays.
Durga Puja will be celebrated from October 16 to October 21, 2026.
Several Bengal-bound trains already have waitlists exceeding 290, while others show “REGRET” status.
Heavy demand is reported on Delhi-Howrah, Mumbai-Howrah, Chennai-Howrah and Guwahati-Howrah routes.
Reservation offices in Kolkata and Howrah will operate reduced single-shift hours on October 19, 20 and 21, while selected major counters remain open as usual.
- Who
- Eastern Railway and passengers traveling to West Bengal for Durga Puja.
- What
- Eastern Railway plans special trains to handle increased festival demand and has announced revised reservation-office timings.
- When
- Durga Puja will be held from October 16 to October 21, 2026; revised reservation-office hours apply on October 19, 20 and 21.
- Where
- Routes to West Bengal, including Delhi-Howrah, Mumbai-Howrah, Chennai-Howrah and Guwahati-Howrah, as well as reservation offices in Kolkata and Howrah.
- Why
- Many people return to their hometowns in Bengal for the festival, creating heavy demand on regular train services.
- Festival dates
- October 16-21, 2026
- Railway zone
- Eastern Railway
- Special trains
- Planned on routes experiencing higher passenger demand
- Reservation-office hours
- Computerised offices in the Kolkata and Howrah areas will operate from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on October 19, 20 and 21
- Counters operating normally
- Howrah, Sealdah and Kolkata Terminal booking counters
- Reported booking pressure
- Waitlists have exceeded 290 on some trains, while several classes show REGRET
- High-demand corridors
- Delhi-Howrah, Mumbai-Howrah, Chennai-Howrah and Guwahati-Howrah