Patna: Indian Railways has introduced Vande Bharat Festival Special trains between Patna and New Delhi to ease passenger congestion during the festive season. The East Central Railway, Hajipur, announced that the services will run from October 11 to November 17.
The trains, operating under numbers 02252 (New Delhi–Patna) and 02251 (Patna–New Delhi), will run thrice weekly. The New Delhi–Patna service departs every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday at 08:35 and reaches Patna at 21:30, stopping at Aligarh, Kanpur Central, Prayagraj, Pt. Deendayal Upadhyay Junction, Buxar, and Ara. The return train leaves Patna every Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday at 10:00, arriving in New Delhi at 23:30.
Each service will feature fully air-conditioned Vande Bharat rakes with 16–20 coaches, offering a modern, electric, and comfortable travel experience. Over the course of the special schedule, the trains will make 16–17 trips in both directions.
Railway officials said the initiative responds to increased travel demand during major festivals such as Diwali and Chhath, providing passengers with a safer and more convenient option for journeys between Bihar and the national capital.
