Chhath Puja 2026: Delhi-Bihar deploy 77 subsidised buses from Anand Vihar
Synopsis
For Chhath Puja 2026, the BJP governments in Delhi and Bihar have jointly pressed 77 subsidised buses into service from Anand Vihar — cutting fares by up to ₹1,028 on routes to Muzaffarpur, Patna, and beyond. The deployment is also the opening move in a proposed 10-year, 18-route Reciprocal Transport Agreement that could permanently reshape Delhi–Bihar interstate connectivity.
Key Takeaways
77 buses deployed from Anand Vihar Bus Terminal jointly by the Delhi and Bihar governments for Chhath Puja 2026 .
Routes cover five Bihar divisions: Muzaffarpur (36), Patna (13), Purnea (12), Gaya Ji (10), Darbhanga (6).
Subsidised fares offer savings of ₹134 to ₹1,028 across Non-AC and AC categories.
On the Patna–Delhi route, Non-AC Seater reduced from ₹1,615 to ₹1,221 ; AC Seater from ₹1,980 to ₹1,361 .
A proposed Reciprocal Transport Agreement covering 18 routes and a 10-year validity is under discussion.
All buses under the future pact must comply with BS-VI norms and carry tracking and emergency devices.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led governments of Delhi and Bihar have jointly deployed 77 buses from Anand Vihar Bus Terminal at subsidised fares to ferry Chhath Puja devotees travelling home to Bihar, Delhi Transport Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh announced on Thursday, 12 November 2026. The initiative aims to ease the festive travel surge and bolster interstate public transport links between the two states.
Route-Wise Breakdown
The 77 buses are spread across five Bihar divisions: Muzaffarpur (36 buses), Patna (13), Purnea (12), Gaya Ji (10), and Darbhanga (6). All services originate from Anand Vihar Bus Terminal in Delhi, one of the capital's principal interstate hubs.
Subsidised Fares Across All Categories
Discounted fares are available across Non-AC Seater, Non-AC Sleeper, AC Seater, and AC Sleeper categories. Passengers stand to save between ₹134 and ₹1,028 depending on route and bus type. On the busy Patna–Delhi corridor, the Non-AC Seater fare has been cut from ₹1,615 to ₹1,221, while the AC Seater ticket has been reduced from ₹1,980 to ₹1,361.
What the Government Said
Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh said, 'Chhath Puja holds immense cultural and emotional significance for lakhs of people from Bihar and Poorvanchal residing in Delhi. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, the Delhi government is committed to working in coordination with the Bihar Government to ensure that passengers can travel home safely and affordably.' He added that the subsidised fares and additional bus services represent 'an important step towards making public transport more accessible during the festive season.'
Proposed Reciprocal Transport Agreement
Beyond the immediate festive deployment, Minister Singh highlighted a proposed Reciprocal Transport Agreement between Delhi and Bihar covering 18 interstate routes linking the capital with Patna, Gaya, Bhagalpur, Muzaffarpur, Darbhanga, Purnea, Araria, Kishanganj, Buxar, Nawada, Madhubani, and Biharsharif. The arrangement envisages a quota of 12 buses each for Delhi and Bihar on every route, with several services passing through major Uttar Pradesh transit points including Noida, Agra, Lucknow, Kanpur, Gorakhpur, and Varanasi.
Under the proposed agreement, only BS-VI compliant CNG and electric buses will be permitted. All vehicles must carry vehicle location tracking devices and emergency buttons. Tickets issued in either state will be mutually recognised, and the pact is proposed to remain valid for 10 years, subject to applicable legal provisions.
What Comes Next
The minister noted that the 77-bus service is an initial step, with operations to be monitored for passenger demand before additional routes and services are added in a phased manner. The broader goal, he said, is to deliver more convenient and affordable travel options between Delhi and Bihar on a sustained basis — not just during festivals.
Point of View
However, is the proposed Reciprocal Transport Agreement: if the 18-route, 10-year framework is formalised, it would mark a rare durable upgrade to interstate public transport rather than a one-off festive gesture. The devil, as always, will be in execution — past interstate agreements have stalled over route permits and state-level regulatory friction.
NationPress
12 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How many buses are being deployed for Chhath Puja between Delhi and Bihar?
A total of 77 buses have been deployed from Anand Vihar Bus Terminal in Delhi, covering five Bihar divisions: Muzaffarpur (36 buses), Patna (13), Purnea (12), Gaya Ji (10), and Darbhanga (6). The service was announced by Delhi Transport Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh on 12 November 2026.
How much discount is available on Chhath Puja bus fares from Delhi to Bihar?
Passengers can save between ₹134 and ₹1,028 depending on the route and bus category. For example, the Non-AC Seater fare on the Patna–Delhi route has been cut from ₹1,615 to ₹1,221, and the AC Seater fare from ₹1,980 to ₹1,361.
What is the Reciprocal Transport Agreement between Delhi and Bihar?
It is a proposed long-term interstate transport pact covering 18 routes between Delhi and major Bihar destinations, with a permit quota of 12 buses each per route for both states. The agreement is proposed to remain valid for 10 years, with operations in both directions and mutual recognition of tickets.
Which cities in Bihar are connected under this Chhath Puja bus service?
The current deployment covers Muzaffarpur, Patna, Purnea, Gaya, and Darbhanga. The proposed Reciprocal Transport Agreement would extend connectivity to Bhagalpur, Araria, Kishanganj, Buxar, Nawada, Madhubani, and Biharsharif as well.
What safety standards apply to the buses under the proposed Delhi–Bihar transport agreement?
Only BS-VI compliant CNG and electric buses will be permitted under the proposed agreement. All vehicles must be equipped with vehicle location tracking devices and emergency buttons to ensure passenger safety.
