The Railway Ministry has announced the operation of 12,011 train trips across India between October 1 and November 30, 2025, to manage the heavy festive season rush. On average, about 196 special trains are running daily from various zones and divisions to ensure passengers reach their destinations in time for celebrations.
The highest number of special trains operated on a single day so far was around 280 on October 18, while the lowest was approximately 166 on October 8, officials said.
A senior railway official noted that the ministry had worked “day and night” for months to coordinate with all 70 railway divisions, retrieving even those coaches that were under maintenance to ensure maximum capacity utilization.
“All available coaches have been made fit for operation so passengers can travel home for the festivals without disruption,” the official said.
Questions Raised Over Data Accuracy
However, some activists and officials have questioned the authenticity of the 12,011-trip figure, alleging that the list includes short-distance local trains and regular services rebranded as Puja Specials.
Chandra Shekhar Gaur, an RTI activist from Madhya Pradesh, pointed out that the Jaipur–Udaipur Superfast Special (Train Nos. 09721/09722), which runs daily throughout the year, was renamed as a Puja Special, with its 122 trips counted in the total.
“I wrote to the Railway Board in July demanding that the ‘special’ tag be removed, as this train has been operating regularly for years. If such trains are being counted, one can imagine how many more such anomalies exist,” Gaur said.
Railways Defends Its Move
The Railways defended its classification, saying that all trains currently running as ‘specials’, whether new or existing, have been deployed to enhance passenger convenience during the festive period.
“Instead of focusing on stray examples, people should appreciate the mammoth exercise carried out by 12 lakh railway employees working tirelessly to manage festive travel,” a senior official said, adding that the railway minister has personally visited several stations to monitor operations and review passenger amenities.
Short-Distance Services Included
The list also features many short-distance routes, such as:
- Sikar–Jaipur (110 km): Train Nos. 04801/04802, operating 122 trips over two months.
- Loharu–Sikar (125 km): Train Nos. 04853/04854, with 122 scheduled trips.
Some officials acknowledged that while short-distance passengers have multiple travel alternatives, those covering long distances over 1,000 km face more difficulty securing seats during the festive season.
“The Railways has undoubtedly made huge efforts to run additional trains for passenger comfort. But inflated claims about trip numbers don’t serve any real purpose,” another official remarked.