Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has announced that around 18,000 special trains are being operated during the festive season, covering Durga Puja, Diwali and Chhath Puja. The announcement came on Friday during his visit to New Delhi Railway Station, where he reviewed arrangements for the expected festive rush. The minister said Indian Railways had analysed passenger travel patterns over the past 10 years to identify routes witnessing the highest demand during festivals. Based on this data, additional trains have been planned for routes where passenger numbers are expected to rise significantly. He added that the railway authorities are continuously improving arrangements to manage the growing number of passengers and provide a smoother travel experience.

Dhanteras Witnesses the Highest Passenger Rush
Vaishnaw said that experience from previous years shows that passenger movement is often higher around Dhanteras than on Diwali itself. Keeping this trend in mind, Railways has arranged a larger number of special trains for Dhanteras. Similarly, passenger traffic is expected to increase sharply around three days before Chhath Puja. The minister said these seasonal travel patterns have been considered while planning additional services. He added that the railway department is using previous years' data to improve its arrangements and respond to the increasing demand for train travel.

New Delhi Station Gets a Large Holding Area
The Railway Minister also highlighted the new passenger management facilities at New Delhi Railway Station. A large holding area has been created for passengers travelling with reserved tickets. Earlier, passengers had to use six different entry gates, which often caused confusion and congestion. Under the new arrangement, passenger facilities have been reorganised to make entry and movement easier. Security checks for luggage and other essential facilities, which were previously located inside the station, have also been shifted outside. This has created more space in the ticketing and waiting areas, making them more accessible and convenient for passengers.

Special Arrangements to Manage Festive Crowds
Vaishnaw said that New Delhi Railway Station normally handles more than five lakh passengers daily, but the number can rise to nearly eight lakh during the festive season. To manage the additional rush, Railways has increased the number of special trains, deployed additional staff and established holding areas. Officials are also monitoring crowded locations and taking immediate steps to regulate passenger movement wherever required. Similar holding facilities have been developed at several major railway stations across the country. The minister further stated that around 12,000 special trains were operated during last year's festive season, with several services subsequently converted into regular trains.