Indian Railways has launched a comprehensive, multi-zone mobilisation ahead of Chhath Puja 2026, deploying 31 special trains from the Delhi region alone and suspending platform-ticket sales at major stations as millions of devotees surge toward Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh. The festive travel wave — visible from Anand Vihar and New Delhi Railway Station in the capital to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) and Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (LTT) in Mumbai — is placing exceptional pressure on railway infrastructure across the country.

Scale of the Surge

Railway stations in Delhi, Mumbai, Varanasi, Howrah, and Lucknow are reporting some of the highest passenger concentrations of the year. At Anand Vihar and New Delhi Railway Station, families travelling with heavy luggage are queuing for general-class and reserved coaches alike. Officials describe the movement as one of the most demanding festive travel operations in recent years, with millions of migrant workers and families heading home simultaneously.

Northern Railway has announced the operation of 31 special trains from major Delhi-area stations on high-demand travel days. Additional reserved and unreserved services are being operated on key routes — including services toward Muzaffarpur, Patna, Jaynagar, Gorakhpur, and Sealdah — to absorb the spike in demand. Vande Bharat services toward Patna are also part of the expanded schedule.

Mumbai: Platform Tickets Suspended, Parcel Traffic Halted

Central Railway has introduced a broad set of precautionary measures at its major stations in Mumbai. According to Central Railway Chief Public Relations Officer Swapnil Nila, the sale of platform tickets has been suspended at key stations broadly between 5 November and 15 November 2026, with the precise window varying by location. The suspension is intended to prevent non-travelling crowds from adding to platform congestion.

Parcel traffic has additionally been halted for approximately eight to ten days at CSMT and LTT. Railway officials say the move frees up critical platform and staging space, reducing the risk of bottlenecks during peak boarding and alighting operations. Passengers on the CSMT-Gorakhpur special train have reportedly appreciated the seating arrangements, according to Central Railway.

Varanasi and Howrah: Holding Areas and Medical Booths

At Varanasi Junction, a dedicated passenger holding area has been established, allowing travellers to wait in an organised queue before boarding. Help desks have been placed at both entry gates to provide real-time assistance and travel information.

At Howrah Station, Eastern Railway has created a specially carpeted holding area for Chhath-bound passengers. A medical booth is on standby for passengers requiring immediate assistance. Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel are running a dedicated control room to track crowd flow, while Travelling Ticket Examiners (TTEs) and RPF staff are coordinating queue management and coach-guidance operations.

At Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction in Chandauli, traditional Chhath songs are being played over public address systems, and holding areas have been created at stations such as Ballia to prevent platform overcrowding. Passengers have reportedly welcomed both the festive ambience and the safety infrastructure.

AI Surveillance and Security Deployment

Across the network, Indian Railways is deploying AI-enabled CCTV surveillance alongside additional security personnel to identify congestion points in real time. The integrated monitoring system is designed to allow crowd regulators to intervene before bottlenecks become dangerous. Officials stress that the combination of physical holding areas, suspended parcel traffic, restricted platform access, and technology-led surveillance is essential to maintaining order when passengers — including families with children and heavy luggage — are boarding simultaneously.

The Railways has also urged passengers to rely exclusively on official announcements for train schedules and festive arrangements, cautioning against misinformation circulating on social media. This comes amid a pattern of rumour-driven stampedes and misdirected crowds that have caused disruptions at busy stations in past festive seasons.

What to Expect in the Days Ahead

Chhath Puja remains one of the most significant festivals in Bihar, eastern Uttar Pradesh, and adjoining regions, drawing the largest single voluntary migration within India's railway calendar every year. With the peak travel window still unfolding, railway authorities are expected to continue round-the-clock monitoring and may introduce additional special services based on demand. Passengers are advised to reach stations well ahead of departure and to follow RPF and station staff directions at holding areas.