Railways running 12,011 festive special trains; over 1 crore passengers carried on specials from 1 to 19 October
On 20 October 2025, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw reviewed passenger movement at the Railway Board War Room; Indian Railways is running 12,011 special trains for Puja, Diwali and Chhath, against 7,724 in the same period last year.
Summary
On 20 October 2025, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw reviewed festive passenger movement at the Railway Board War Room in New Delhi and visited New Delhi and Anand Vihar stations. Indian Railways is running 12,011 special trains for Puja, Diwali and Chhath, up from 7,724 in the same period last year. Between 1 and 19 October 2025 it ran 3,960 special trains carrying over 1 crore passengers, with around 8,000 more planned. Central Railway (1,998), Northern Railway (1,919) and Western Railway (1,501) are running the most specials. In the New Delhi area, 15.17 lakh passengers travelled from 16 to 19 October, against 13.66 lakh a year earlier.
Key facts
- Date
- 20 Oct 2025
- Festive specials
- 12,011 (vs 7,724 last year)
- 1–19 Oct 2025
- 3,960 specials; 1 crore+ passengers
- Top zones
- Central 1,998; Northern 1,919; Western 1,501
- New Delhi area, 16–19 Oct
- 15.17 lakh passengers (13.66 lakh last year)
Practice MCQs 2 questions
How many special trains did Indian Railways say it was operating for Puja, Diwali and Chhath 2025?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — 12,011
PIB: IR is operating 12,011 special trains, a significant increase from 7,724 in the same period last year; 3,960 had run between 1 and 19 October.
Which railway zone was operating the highest number of festive special trains in 2025, according to the Railways' figures of 20 October 2025?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Central Railway
PIB: Central Railway (1,998 trains) was ahead of Northern Railway (1,919) and Western Railway (1,501); East Central Railway had 1,217.