Patna : Indian Railways has planned five pairs of unreserved festival special trains to manage the surge in passenger demand during Diwali and Chhath, providing additional travel options for people heading to Bihar from West Bengal and other regions.
The proposed services will connect Howrah and Sealdah with major destinations including Patna, Muzaffarpur and Jaynagar. Another service will run between Howrah and Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh, passing through several stations in Bihar.
The additional trains are intended to help passengers facing long waiting lists on regular services and provide travel options for those who prefer to purchase general tickets without advance reservations.
According to the reported schedule, the five pairs will operate on routes covering major stations across West Bengal, Jharkhand, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. Passengers should check official railway updates for confirmation of operating dates and other details.
Two Special Train Pairs To Connect Howrah And Patna
Two pairs of unreserved special trains are planned between Howrah and Patna to accommodate passengers travelling to the Bihar capital during the festive season.
The first pair, train numbers 03033 and 03034, will connect the two cities through several major stations.
Train 03033 is scheduled to depart Howrah at 5.40 pm and arrive in Patna at 5 am the following day. In the return direction, train 03034 will leave Patna at 6.30 am and reach Howrah at 10.15 pm the same day.
The train will stop at Bandel, Bardhaman, Durgapur, Asansol, Chittaranjan, Jasidih, Jhajha, Kiul, Mokama, Bakhtiyarpur, Fatuha and Rajendra Nagar Terminal.
The second pair, 03035 and 03036, will provide another connection between Howrah and Patna.
Train 03035 is scheduled to leave Howrah at 11.45 pm and reach Patna at 10.45 am the next day. The return service, train 03036, will depart Patna at 1.35 pm and arrive in Howrah at 1 am the following day.
This service will cover stations including Bandel, Bardhaman, Asansol, Chittaranjan, Madhupur, Jasidih, Jhajha, Kiul, Mokama and Patna Sahib.
Howrah–Gorakhpur Special To Serve Bihar And Uttar Pradesh
The third pair, 03037 and 03038, will connect Howrah with Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh.
Train 03037 is scheduled to leave Howrah at 11.45 pm and arrive in Gorakhpur at 6.15 pm the following day. The return service, train 03038, will depart Gorakhpur at 8.35 pm and reach Howrah at 3.40 pm the next day.
The train will stop at major stations including Bardhaman, Asansol, Jasidih, Kiul, Barauni, Hajipur, Sonpur, Chhapra, Siwan and Deoria Sadar.
The service will provide an additional option for passengers travelling between West Bengal, Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh during the festive rush.
Howrah–Muzaffarpur Special To Improve North Bihar Connectivity
The fourth pair, 03039 and 03040, will connect Howrah with Muzaffarpur, providing another option for passengers travelling to north Bihar.
Train 03039 is scheduled to depart Howrah at 5.40 pm and reach Muzaffarpur at 6 am the following day. On the return journey, train 03040 will leave Muzaffarpur at 9 am and arrive in Howrah at 11.55 pm.
The train will stop at Bandel, Bardhaman, Asansol, Madhupur, Jasidih, Jhajha, Kiul, Barauni and Samastipur.
The additional service is expected to provide greater flexibility for passengers travelling to Muzaffarpur and nearby areas during Diwali and Chhath.
Sealdah–Jaynagar Special To Connect Darbhanga And Madhubani
The fifth pair, 03145 and 03146, will operate between Sealdah and Jaynagar.
Train 03145 is scheduled to leave Sealdah at 5 pm and reach Jaynagar at 8.30 am the following day. In the return direction, train 03146 will depart Jaynagar at 10 am and arrive in Sealdah at 1.30 am the next day.
The service will stop at Naihati, Bandel, Bardhaman, Asansol, Jasidih, Kiul, Barauni, Samastipur, Darbhanga and Madhubani.
The route will provide another travel option for passengers heading to Darbhanga, Madhubani and surrounding areas in north Bihar during the festive period.
Unreserved Coaches To Allow Travel Without Advance Booking
The special trains are expected to operate primarily with general or unreserved coaches, allowing passengers to travel using ordinary tickets without booking reserved seats in advance.
The services are intended to benefit passengers who have been unable to secure confirmed tickets on regular trains during the festive rush.
Additional trains may also help distribute passenger demand across more services and ease congestion at busy stations. However, passengers should verify the available coach arrangements and applicable ticketing conditions before travelling.
Passengers Advised To Check Official Railway Updates
The five pairs of special trains are planned to increase capacity on routes connecting West Bengal with Bihar and Uttar Pradesh during Diwali and Chhath.
Passengers should confirm the operating dates, departure times, stoppages and ticket availability through official Indian Railways announcements or the Passenger Reservation System (PRS) before beginning their journeys.
The additional services are intended to give passengers more flexibility during one of the busiest travel periods of the year, particularly those relying on unreserved coaches to reach their hometowns for the festivals.
