New Delhi, Aug 21 (UNI) In a major boost to passenger convenience during the upcoming festive season, Indian Railways has announced the operation of over 12,000 special trains for Diwali and Chhath, coupled with a 20% discount on return tickets.
Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw made these announcements today at a press briefing held at Rail Bhawan.
The Minister said that following consultations with Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary, Union Ministers Lalan Singh, and Members of Parliament Dr. Sanjay Jaiswal and Sanjay Kumar Jha, special arrangements have been put in place to facilitate smooth travel during this busy period.
Passengers undertaking onward journeys between October 13 and 26, and return journeys between November 17 and December 1, will be eligible for a 20% concession on return tickets. “This initiative aims to ease the travel burden for millions journeying during these festivals,” Vaishnaw stated.
In addition to these festive travel provisions, the Minister announced, four new Amrit Bharat Express trains will be introduced from Gaya to Delhi, Saharsa to Amritsar, Chhapra to Delhi, and Muzaffarpur to Hyderabad.
Besides, a new circuit train, covering important sites related to Lord Buddha and catering especially to middle-class families, will also be launched, covering Vaishali, Hajipur, Sonepur, Patna, Rajgir, Gaya and Koderma, the minister announced.
The service is designed with middle-class families in mind, enhancing religious tourism in the region, he added.
On infrastructure expansion, the Buxar–Lakhisarai rail corridor will be upgraded to a four-line section to support increased traffic. A Patna Ring Railway system is planned to improve urban connectivity. New rail links between Sultanganj and Deoghar will be established, alongside a new train service connecting Patna and Ayodhya.
Vaishnaw also informed about the setting up of a washing pit facility at Laukaha Bazar and the construction of several new road overbridges approved for Bihar.
Expressing gratitude, Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary and other senior leaders thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the approvals, which they said will significantly boost Bihar’s rail infrastructure and connectivity.
