Patna: Indian Railways has announced that special trains will run between Delhi, Mumbai and Bihar to manage the huge rush of passengers during the upcoming festival season. The Samastipur Division of East Central Railway said that the services will mainly connect Sitamarhi and Raxaul with the national capital and Mumbai, making it easier for people to travel home for Durga Puja, Diwali and Chhath.
Officials confirmed that two pairs of special trains will run between Sitamarhi and Anand Vihar Terminal in Delhi, while one pair will operate between Raxaul and Mumbai’s Lokmanya Tilak Terminus. The additional services are expected to bring major relief for passengers, as tickets on regular trains often get booked months in advance during these festivals.
One of the most important services, Train No. 05557 Raxaul–Lokmanya Tilak Special, will run for 10 extra trips. It will operate every Tuesday from 23 September to 25 November, starting from Raxaul at 7.15pm and passing through Bairgania, Sitamarhi, Muzaffarpur and Hajipur before reaching Mumbai. Its return journey, Train No. 05558, will run every Thursday from 25 September to 27 November. It will leave Lokmanya Tilak Terminus at 7.55am and arrive at Raxaul the next day via Sitamarhi.
For Delhi-bound passengers, Train No. 04016 Anand Vihar–Sitamarhi Festival Special will run daily from 29 September to 30 November. It will leave Anand Vihar at 3.30pm and reach Sitamarhi the next day at 3pm. On the return, Train No. 04015 Sitamarhi–Anand Vihar Festival Special will run from 30 September to 1 December, leaving Sitamarhi at 4.30pm and reaching Delhi the next evening.
In addition, Train No. 04010/04009 Delhi–Sitamarhi–Delhi Festival Special will also operate. It will run every Thursday from 2 October to 27 November from Delhi to Sitamarhi, and every Friday from 3 October to 28 November in the return direction. This train will pass through Gorakhpur, Bagaha, Narkatiaganj and Raxaul before reaching its destination.
The railway ministry said these arrangements have been made to reduce the overcrowding that passengers face each year during festivals. With lakhs of people travelling to Bihar to celebrate with their families, the extra trains will not only provide more options but also ensure safer and smoother journeys.
