Government to run 12,000+ special trains for Diwali, Chhath; return ticket discount announced

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu)- The Central Government said on Thursday that keeping in mind the huge number of passengers during festivals like Diwali and Chhath Puja, the Indian Railways will run more than 12,000 special trains.

Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced that a 20 per cent discount will be given on return tickets for passengers travelling onward between October 13 and 26 and for passengers travelling back between November 17 and December 1. The Union Minister said that special arrangements are being made by the Indian Railways for the upcoming Diwali and Chhath festivals. He said, "It will be ensured that passengers do not face any difficulty during their return journey". Apart from this, four new Amrit Bharat Express trains will be introduced from Gaya to Delhi, Saharsa to Amritsar, Chhapra to Delhi and Muzaffarpur to Hyderabad.

The Union Minister said that a new circuit train will also be introduced keeping in mind the important places associated with Lord Buddha and especially the needs of middle class families. This train will go to Vaishali, Hajipur, Sonpur, Patna, Rajgir, Gaya and Koderma. The Buxar-Lakhisarai rail section will be expanded to a four-line corridor, allowing more trains to run. An official release said that a ring railway system will be developed around Patna, connecting Sultanganj and Deoghar by rail. A new rail service will also be introduced between Patna and Ayodhya. The Union Minister further said that a washing pit facility will be set up at Laukha Bazar and work will be done on several newly sanctioned road overbridges in Bihar. The deeply spiritual Chhath Puja, rooted in ancient folk traditions, comes twice a year and is celebrated in the Mithila region of Bihar, Jharkhand, eastern Uttar Pradesh and Nepal. The festival is celebrated to worship Surya (the Sun God) and Chhathi Maiya, celebrated for four days through elaborate rituals that symbolize purification, gratitude and unwavering devotion.