Big festive boost for passengers! Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has announced that Indian Railways will operate over 12000 special trains in Bihar for the upcoming Diwali and Chhath rush. Alongside these festival specials, the Ministry has unveiled new train links, a fresh Vande Bharat service, an experimental 20% round-trip discount, and major infrastructure upgrades for the state.
12000 Chhath special train 2025: Coming This Festive Season
12,000 Special Trains for Diwali 2025
To manage the heavy festive footfall, Railways will run 12000+ special services within/for Bihar on Chhath and Diwali pooja. Expect better seat availability, additional halts based on demand, and crowd management at key junctions.
4 New Amrit Bharat Connections
To strengthen non-AC/general-class travel, four new Amrit Bharat trains are planned to connect:
- Delhi ↔ Gaya
- Saharsa ↔ Amritsar
- Chhapra ↔ Delhi
- Muzaffarpur ↔ Hyderabad
These trains are designed for comfort, high capacity, and affordability ideal for long-distance festive travel.
New Vande Bharat Train: Purnia to Patna
A brand-new Vande Bharat Express will be flagged off between Purnia and Patna, sharply reducing journey time across this high-demand corridor and offering modern amenities for daily and weekend travelers.
20% Discount on Round Trips (Festive Window 2025)
Indian Railways reiterated its experimental round-trip scheme:
- Onward travel: 13 Oct–26 Oct 2025
- Return travel: 17 Nov–1 Dec 2025
Book your onward journey first, then book the return from the same PNR flow in the IRCTC app to get 20% off the base fare on the return ticket. (Flexi/Dynamic fare trains excluded; CNF availability required; passenger details must match.)
Must Read: Indian Railways Round Trip Scheme Offers 20% Discount: Book Your Ticket Now
Buddha Circuit Train
A dedicated Buddha Circuit service will connect places associated with Lord Buddha Nalanda, Rajgir and more supporting spiritual tourism and seamless pilgrim mobility.
Infrastructure Push for Bihar
Patna Ring Railway Project
A ring railway for Patna has been announced to decongest the city’s rail movement, improve punctuality, and enable smoother suburban and intercity operations.
Capacity & Safety Upgrades
- New Foot Overbridges and Subways (FOBs/FOBs-Underpasses) at busy stations
- 3rd & 4th line between Buxar and Lakhisarai to add capacity on a critical trunk route
- New rail connectivity: Sultanganj ↔ Deoghar, opening up religious and regional travel options
What This Means for Passengers
- More seats, fewer waitlists: Festival specials + new services = better chances of confirmed tickets.
- Cheaper returns: Use the 20% round-trip discount window in the IRCTC Rail Connect app.
- Faster intercity options: The Purnia–Patna Vande Bharat will be a time-saver.
- Improved general-class travel: Amrit Bharat trains are tailored for high-demand, budget-friendly journeys.
- Tourism boost: Buddha Circuit and better links will benefit religious and leisure travel alike.
How to Plan Smart Some Tips For Railway Passengers
- Book early: Festive windows fill fast lock in your onward journey first to unlock the return discount.
- Check exclusions: Avoid Flexi/Dynamic fare trains for the discount; ensure CNF availability.
- Match passenger details: Return booking must mirror the onward PNR’s passenger list.
- Track updates: Timetables and exact start dates for new trains/services will be notified—watch NTES, IRCTC, and Your Railway Guide.
Story Highlights
- 12,000+ special trains in/for Bihar during Diwali & Chhath
- Four new Amrit Bharat trains: Delhi–Gaya, Saharsa–Amritsar, Chhapra–Delhi, Muzaffarpur–Hyderabad
- New Vande Bharat: Purnia–Patna to launch soon
- 20% discount on round-trip return base fare (Oct–Nov–Dec 2025 window)
- Patna Ring Railway and major infra upgrades including Buxar–Lakhisarai 3rd/4th line and Sultanganj–Deoghar connectivity
Stay with Your Railway Guide for confirmed schedules, booking windows, and station-wise halts as Railways releases further details.
