3 summer special trains giving much relief to migrants from UP, Jharkhand
2
3
Chandigarh: Northern Railways has brought major relief to migrant workers and families in the Tricity area by operating three summer special trains. The trains— Chandigarh-Dhanbad Garib Rath, Chandigarh-Patna Garib Rath, and Chandigarh-Gorakhpur-Dibrugarh Express — are running at full capacity, significantly easing travel during the summer rush.
The move has boosted direct connectivity from Chandigarh to key cities such as Lucknow, Varanasi, Bareilly, and Dhanbad.
Officials say the trains have emerged as a lifeline for hundreds of migrants who otherwise struggled to secure bookings in regular long-distance trains, which were already overbooked well before the start of the vacation season.
Senior divisional commercial manager (DCM) Naveen Kumar confirmed that the decision to run these summer specials was made in response to rising demand.
"Three special trains were sanctioned to cater to the needs of migrants and travellers from the region. These trains are running packed and have brought much-needed relief to passengers," he said.
Train number 03311, running from Dhanbad to Chandigarh, operates every Tuesday and Friday. It departs at 11:50 pm and reaches Chandigarh at 4:30 am on the third day. The return service, train number 03312, leaves Chandigarh every Thursday and Sunday at 6 am and reaches Dhanbad at 9 am the following day.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Sunteck Sky Park, Mira Road - 2 & 3 BHK @ ₹1.33 Cr*
Sunteck Sky Park
Learn More
Undo
The route passes through major junctions including Varanasi, Lucknow, Bareilly, Moradabad, and Ambala. This Garib Rath train includes 16 third AC coaches.
Train numbers 04504/04505, connecting Chandigarh to Patna, are also running as Garib Rath summer specials. The train from Chandigarh leaves every Thursday at 11:35 pm and reaches Patna at 10:10 pm the next day. The return train departs every Friday night from Patna and reaches Chandigarh late the following evening.
With halts at Lucknow, Sultanpur, Varanasi, Buxar, and Ara, this service has become an important corridor for passengers from Eastern Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.
Additionally, the Chandigarh-Gorakhpur-Dibrugarh Express (train numbers 15904/15903) departs from Chandigarh every Sunday night at 11:35 pm. It reaches Gorakhpur the next morning and continues onward to Dibrugarh, reaching by the third day. The return train from Dibrugarh runs every Monday morning and arrives in Chandigarh two days later.
All three trains have seen high demand since their announcement. Bookings are open both online and at railway ticket counters.
Officials have urged passengers to travel responsibly and make early reservations due to limited seat availability. With these services in place, migrants from UP and Jharkhand can now travel home for summer with far less hassle.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
22 minutes ago
- Time of India
From airplanes to helicopters: Mumbaikars fly high
Mumbaikars are exploring the city like never before- by booking airplanes and helicopter rides that offer a breath taking view of the city that never sleeps. Two-three people on board makes it ideal for intimate celebrations These rides are a unique way to celebrate special occasions like birthdays, anniversaries, and wedding proposals. Many parents have been book these rides for kids who are fascinated by planes. Additionally, tourists in the city enjoy this experience as it offers a stunning aerial perspective of Mumbai's diverse landscape. Prasad Shelar, founder of a travel company says, 'The aircraft is equipped with action cameras that record the entire flight. Guests can also celebrate by cutting a cake and with customised banners, clicking photos with the aircraft before or after the ride. Most people have never been inside a small aircraft before, and the thrill of flying low over Mumbai's iconic coastline, lakes, and cityscape creates unforgettable memories. The aircraft used for these rides—the Cessna 172—is one of the most trusted and widely used aircraft for leisure flying worldwide. The experience is not only thrilling but also very personal, with just 2 or 3 people on board, making it ideal for intimate celebrations.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 3BHK Transformation Possible for ₹4.5 Lakh? HomeLane Get Quote Undo Another interesting aspect is that these flights operate from Juhu Airport, one of the oldest airports in India, adding a touch of aviation heritage to the experience- Prasad Shelar, founder of a travel company- Prasad Shelar, founder of a travel company Rates for airplane rides 30 min airplane ride (for 2 or 3 people) – starts at Rs. 35,000 60 min airplane ride (for 2 or 3 people) – starts at Rs. 70,000 30 min helicopter ride (for 5 people)- starts from Rs 2,15,000 Attractions in the city from an aerial view These rides usually cover - Andheri -Pagoda, Borivali -Tulsi and Vihar Lake, Borivali -Film city, Goregaon - Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport -Juhu coast line - Bandra-Worli Sea link -Haji Ali, Queens Necklace, Marine Drive, in town -Alibag-Murud Departure Point: Juhu Airport Altitude: 500–700 feet Helicopter rides trade the city's usual congestion for a luxurious experience Mumbaikars frequently opt for short Helicopter joy rides in Mumbai, typically lasting 30 minutes, with approximate rates. Rahul Muchhal, CEO and founder of an aviation company says, 'These rides are popular due to the unique perspective they offer of Mumbai's vast cityscape and coastline, escaping the city's usual congestion for a private and luxurious experience. Couple packages include options like champagne, personalized messages displayed (visible from airfields), or photography/videography services to capture special moments. ' Though I have lived in Mumbai all my life, an aerial view of the city is something everyone should experience, it makes you fall in love with your city all over again- Pratham Vaidya, Ghatkopar, engineer "Get the latest news updates on Times of India, including reviews of the movie Coolie and War 2 ."
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
'Aquaman' star Jason Momoa recalls how he almost drowned in Hawaii
Los Angeles, Aug 14 (IANS) Hollywood star Jason Momoa revealed that he almost drowned while out surfing in Hawaii back in 2007. Hollywood star Jason Momoa revealed that he almost drowned while out surfing in Hawaii back in 2007. The 'Aquaman' actor was navigating Pe'ahi, the biggest surf break in Maui, which is nicknamed Jaws, during a lengthy paddle through Hawaiian waters in 2007 when his leg rope snapped amid high wind, though he was "fine" at first, despite the waves crashing down on him, reports Battling the elements Talking about the incident on the Smartless podcast, he said: "I was doing this paddle, we went in at Jaws. We paddled like 13 miles down the coast. You're kind of almost a mile offshore, and then my leash snapped. We're about seven miles into it and my leash snapped, and it's so windy on Maui." The star said he was trained pretty well and so he was fine. "I took quite a few on the head. They're pretty big, like 10-foot Hawaiian waves. But I'm probably half a mile at that point offshore... There's all this water that pulls out of a channel there, (and) you just get hit with these waves." The 'Aquaman' star got "stuck" and his body began to "give up" on him while he waited to be rescued. He continued: "I was stuck in this crazy spot, which is probably the outer reef and unknown to me. I was really on the outer reef and they couldn't see me. I had my paddle and I was waving it and they couldn't see me, and the waves were so big. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Discover the Secret to a Lush Garden with These 15 Unbelievable Hacks! Kingdom Of Men Undo "I was out there for a while, and I just couldn't see anyone coming to get me. I couldn't move anymore, and my arms and my legs gave up after, you know, I was out there for a while... My body stopped. Like I couldn't move my arms anymore, and I bubbled down. Then my toe hit the outer reef. I literally gave up, and I'm screaming inside." Friend to the rescue The 46-year-old actor was eventually found by one of his surfing friends, but the journey back to shore wasn't easy. He recalled: "I get back on the board and we start paddling. He's like, 'You got to go out,' so we just keep paddling out." Momoa continued: "I have seven more miles to paddle. My feet are covered in blood, and I'm just literally (with) my ancestors just paddling the rest of this way, head down, and we get out." Momoa eventually made it back to shore and instantly turned his back on his deadly smoking habit. He said: "I used to smoke two, three packs a day. I couldn't stop for my kids, I couldn't stop for my ex, I couldn't stop smoking. And the moment I came out, I never smoked again. Like, I just died. I tried and tried, but I couldn't do it again because I just gave up. Like, I gave up my life." "Get the latest news updates on Times of India, including reviews of the movie Coolie and War 2 ."
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
UAE: Etihad hits record 20.3 million passengers in 12 months for the first time
In 12 months, Etihad Airways transported 20.3 million passengers, driven by fleet growth to 111 aircraft and 81 destinations/Representative Image Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways has achieved a major operational milestone, carrying over 20 million passengers in a 12-month span for the first time. The airline also posted strong growth in July 2025, supported by an expanding fleet and a broader destination network. Strong monthly and year-to-date growth Etihad Airways recorded a significant rise in passenger traffic in July 2025, flying 2.0 million passengers, a 19% increase from the 1.7 million carried during the same month in 2024. The airline's passenger load factor—a key metric indicating how efficiently an airline fills available seats—climbed to 90%, up one percentage point from 89% in July 2024. Over the first seven months of 2025, Etihad has transported 12.2 million passengers, reflecting a 17% year-on-year increase from the 10.4 million carried during the same period in 2024. The average load factor for the year so far has risen to 88%, compared to 86% in the equivalent period last year. These figures underscore steady and sustained demand across the airline's global network, contributing to its sharp rise in year-on-year performance. Milestone achievement: 12-month passenger record The airline's rolling 12-month passenger total has reached 20.3 million, crossing the 20 million mark for the first time in its history. This achievement places Etihad firmly among the fastest-growing carriers in the region. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Family Adopted A New 'Dog', But When The Vet Sees It He Calls The Police Undo Commenting on the milestone, Antonoaldo Neves, Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Airways, highlighted the strength of demand and the airline's ability to scale effectively. He noted the record July figures and emphasized the trust customers continue to place in the carrier's network and service offerings. Fleet growth and new aircraft deliveries Etihad's operating fleet now consists of 111 aircraft, up from 94 in July 2024. This includes aircraft under short-term ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance) leases, and also freighter planes. In July 2025 alone, the airline added five new aircraft, marking it as a record acquisition month. The additions included: 2 Boeing 787s 1 Airbus A350-1000 1 Airbus A320 1 Airbus A321LR — the airline's first of this variant The induction of the A321LR is a significant step in Etihad's fleet strategy, expanding range and efficiency in medium-haul operations. These new aircraft support the airline's ongoing effort to enhance capacity and modernize its fleet while maintaining operational efficiency. Network expansion and destination growth Etihad has also continued to expand its global reach. As of July 2025, the airline now operates flights to 81 passenger destinations, up from 76 a year ago. The additional five destinations are a result of Etihad's active network development strategy, which aligns with its growing fleet size and market demand. This increase in destination count supports the overall upward trend in passenger numbers, offering more travel options across key markets in the Middle East, Asia, Europe, and beyond.
