Special Trains and Infrastructure Upgrades Planned for Festive Season by Indian Railways

To accommodate the anticipated surge in travelers during Diwali and Chhath Puja, Indian Railways is set to launch 12,000 special train services across Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. The initiative includes the introduction of 150 unreserved trains, as confirmed by the Union Railways Minister during a press briefing. The special trains are designed to cater to the travel needs of around 2-3 crore passengers, with services starting on October 1 and extending until November 15, covering the entire festive period. Alongside this, the Minister reported high punctuality rates across numerous railway divisions. Moreover, the Vande Bharat Sleeper trains are nearing their public debut, with the initial train already built and a second expected by October 15. Infrastructure developments include the construction of a new 18 km railway line between Rajpura and Mohali in Punjab, with an investment of Rs 443 crore. This new line will improve connectivity to the Malwa region and reduce travel distances, alongside the proposal for a new Vande Bharat train service linking Firozpur Cantt, Bhatinda, Patiala, and Delhi.