SER GEARS UP FOR FESTIVAL RUSH WITH MORE SPECIAL TRAINS
Kolkata, 2nd October, 2026
South Eastern Railways Gears Up for Festival Rush with More Special Trains and additional coaches with the festival season expected to bring a sharp increase in passenger traffic.
During the previous festive season of Durga Puja, Diwali and Chhath Puja, 19 pairs of special trains were operated, making a total of 356 trips. Subsequently, 8 pairs of these special trains were regularised on permanent services, providing passengers with continued connectivity beyond the festival period. Besides this, 13 pairs of special trains were originated/terminated within SER jurisdiction, while 28 pairs of special trains also passed through SER jurisdiction during this period. In addition, 74 coaches were augmented on a permanent basis on various trains to meet the additional demand during previous years.
This year, South Eastern Railway has made arrangements for the Durga Puja, Diwali and Chhath Puja festive period by planning 19 pairs of special trains, making 344 trips during the festival season. In addition, one pair of special trains will also pass through SER jurisdiction. Furthermore, 30 coaches have been augmented on a permanent basis on various trains up to September 2026, further enhancing passenger-carrying capacity and strengthening the availability of accommodation on regular services.
The following Festival Special Trains will run in this festive season:
Sl. No.
Train No.
From
To
1
08045
Shalimar
Charlapalli
2
08046
Charlapalli
Shalimar
3
08508
Visakhapatnam
Shalimar
4
08507
Shalimar
Visakhapatnam
5
08043
Shalimar
Khurda Road
6
08044
Khurda Road
Shalimar
7
08611
Santragachi
Ajmer
8
08612
Ajmer
Santragachi
9
08047
Santragachi
Naharlagun
10
08048
Naharlagun
Santragachi
11
08405
Puri
Santragachi
12
08406
Santragachi
Puri
13
06081
Thiruvananthapuram
Santragachi
14
06082
Santragachi
Thiruvananthapuram
15
07221
Charlapalli
Santragachi
16
07222
Santragachi
Charlapalli
17
02847
Santragachi
Digha
18
02848
Digha
Santragachi
19
03465
Malda Town
Digha
20
03466
Digha
Malda Town
21
09620
Ranchi
Ajmer
22
09619
Ajmer
Ranchi
23
02877
Ranchi
Anand Vihar
24
02878
Anand Vihar
Ranchi
25
08631
Hatia
Bano
26
08632
Bano
Hatia
27
08661
Ranchi
Alipurduar
28
08662
Alipurduar
Ranchi
29
08637
Hatia
SMVT Bangaluru
30
08638
SMVT Bangaluru
Hatia
31
08609
Hatia
LTT Mumbai
32
08610
LTT Mumbai
Hatia
33
01107
LTT Mumbai
Santragachi
34
01108
Santragachi
LTT Mumbai
35
04218
Lucknow
Adityapur
36
04217
Adityapur
Lucknow
37
08616
Ranchi
Shalimar
38
08615
Shalimar
Ranchi
The enhanced arrangements by South Eastern Railway are aimed at handling the expected festive rush through a combination of special train services and additional coaches on
regular trains. The increased capacity is expected to provide passengers with more travel options and help ease pressure on regular services during the peak festival period…..
PRESS RELEASE
14 Special Local Train Services to Operate on 4 October 2026 to Facilitate Candidates Appearing in Miscellaneous Services Recruitment (Preliminary) Examination
Kharagpur, 2 October 2026:
In view of the Miscellaneous Services Recruitment (Preliminary) Examination scheduled to be held on 4 October 2026 (Sunday), Kharagpur Division will operate 14 additional local train services to facilitate candidates travelling to their examination centres and returning after the examination.
These special local train services will operate on 4 October 2026 as per the following schedule:
UP Trains
Train No.
From
Departure
To
Arrival
38703
Howrah (HWH)
03:30
Kharagpur (KGP)
06:15
38403
Howrah (HWH)
06:20
Panskura (PKU)
08:15
38103
Howrah (HWH)
06:55
Uluberia (ULB)
08:00
38303
Howrah (HWH)
07:40
Mecheda (MCA)
09:30
38417
Howrah (HWH)
09:50
Panskura (PKU)
12:00
38435
Howrah (HWH)
17:00
Panskura (PKU)
19:00
38917
Howrah (HWH)
18:20
Amta (AMTA)
20:05
DOWN Trains
Train No.
From
Departure
To
Arrival
38306
Mecheda (MCA)
04:15
Howrah (HWH)
06:10
38408
Panskura (PKU)
04:20
Howrah (HWH)
06:30
38412
Panskura (PKU)
05:45
Howrah (HWH)
07:40
38708
Kharagpur (KGP)
06:40
Howrah (HWH)
09:40
38104
Uluberia (ULB)
08:10
Howrah (HWH)
09:21
38450
Panskura (PKU)
19:10
Howrah (HWH)
21:20
38922
Amta (AMTA)
20:15
Howrah (HWH)
21:50
The additional services have been planned with the objective of providing convenient transportation to candidates appearing in the examination and assisting them in reaching their examination centres in time, as well as facilitating their return journey after the examination.
Passengers and examination candidates are advised to plan their journey in advance and check the train timings before commencing their travel.
Kharagpur Division to Operate Six EMU Special Trains During Durga Puja 2026
To facilitate the smooth movement of passengers and clear the expected additional rush during the Durga Puja Festival 2026, Kharagpur Division, South Eastern Railway, has planned to operate six EMU Special train services over the Division during the festive period.
The special services will operate for five trips each between 17 October and 22 October 2026, as per the following schedule:
| Spl
Train |
Route | Departure | Arrival | Period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SPL-1 | Panskura – Howrah | 22:30 | 00:20 | 17–21 Oct |
| SPL-2 | Howrah – Panskura | 00:50 | 02:40 | 18–22 Oct |
| SPL-3 | Mecheda – Howrah | 23:30 | 01:00 | 17–21 Oct |
| SPL-4 | Howrah – Mecheda | 01:15 | 02:45 | 18–22 Oct |
| SPL-5 | Amta – Howrah | 23:55 | 01:20 | 17–21 Oct |
| SPL-6 | Howrah – Amta | 01:30 | 03:00 | 18–22 Oct |
All the above EMU Special trains will stop at all stations enroute, facilitating convenient travel for passengers during the festive period.
In addition, as a passenger-friendly measure to cater to the increased demand, all galloping EMU/MEMU trains, except Train Nos. 38806, 38808, 38714, 68007, 68002, 18033, 18034 and 38821, will run with stoppages at all stations, including Passenger Halts (PHs), from 17 October to 22 October 2026.
These additional services and enhanced stoppages have been planned to facilitate the movement of passengers and provide greater accessibility during the Durga Puja festivities. Passengers are advised to plan their journeys accordingly and make use of the additional services during the festive period.
