Patna: The Indian Railways has announced a 20% discount on return tickets booked as part of its new round-trip festival scheme, but the offer will not apply to premium trains including Vande Bharat, Rajdhani and Duronto.
The scheme, introduced for passengers travelling to Bihar during Durga Puja, Diwali and Chhath, allows travellers to avail discounted fares when booking both onward and return tickets between October 13 and 26. The concession is only valid for confirmed seats, with no benefit available on waiting-list tickets.
The discount will be offered across express and festival special trains, while passengers travelling on routes such as Sanghamitra, Patna–Kota, Pataliputra–LTT (Mumbai), Shramjeevi Express and Sampoorna Kranti Express will also not qualify. Officials confirmed that the scheme will be implemented in the Danapur division and that over 12,000 special trains are planned for Diwali and Chhath this year.
Booking for the scheme is available exclusively through the IRCTC Rail Connect mobile app. Passengers must book their return journey at the time of booking their onward ticket, with no changes permitted once the PNR is generated.
