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Good news for travelers as Indian Railways to operate 12000 special trains for Diwali, Chhath; Check routes, other key details

Good news for travelers as Indian Railways to operate 12000 special trains for Diwali, Chhath; Check routes, other key details

India.com5 hours ago
Indian Railways will run 12,000 special trains during Diwali and Chhath festivals. (File)
Indian Railways Special Trains: In a major effort to beat the festival rush, the Indian Railways will operate over 12,000 special trains for the coming Diwali and Chhath festivals in Bihar, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced Wednesday. Vaishnaw said the railway ministry, after discussions with state leaders about the travel needs of the people of Bihar, has decided to run new train services, in addition to other schemes infrastructure projects during the coming festival season. What routes will the new trains connect?
The minister revealed that four new Amrit Bharat trains will connect Delhi and Gaya, Saharsa and Amritsar, Chhapra and Delhi, as well as Muzaffarpur and Hyderabad for the convenience of general class passengers, while a new Vande Bharat train will flagged between Purnia and Patna soon. How to avail 20% discount on train tickets?
According to Vaishnaw, the railway ministry has also planned a Buddha Circuit train connecting places associated with the Buddha, such as Nalanda and Rajgir.
The Railway Minister also reiterated a new experimental scheme of the Railway Board under which if people undertake an onward journey between October 13 and October 26, and return between November 17 and December 1 in 2025, they will get a 20 per cent discount on the round trip fare. Story Highlights Indian Railways will run 12,000 special trains in Bihar during Diwali and Chhath festivals.
Four news Amrit Bharat trains will connect Bihar to major destinations across the country.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said a new Vande Bharat train will connect Purnia and Patna.
The Railways is also offering a 20% discount on round trips during the festival season.
Additionally, Ashwini Vaishnaw also announced a ring railway project for Patna and a major infrastructural boost for the state, such as Foot overbridges, foot-underbridges, a third and fourth line between Buxar and Lakhisarai, and rail connectivity between Sultanganj and Deoghar, among others.
(With inputs from agencies)
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