In a significant move to accommodate the surge in passenger traffic, the Northern Railway zone has rolled out a plan to operate 21 special train services. This initiative includes the prestigious Vande Bharat Express and aims to provide enhanced connectivity across several key destinations in the country.
Comprehensive Connectivity Across India
The special trains are designed to link major metropolitan hubs and pilgrimage centers, effectively bridging distances between north, south, east, and west India. Passengers can now avail services connecting cities such as Gorakhpur, Anand Vihar, Bareilly, Mumbai, New Delhi, and Thiruvananthapuram. Other crucial destinations on the network include Howrah, Ernakulam, Varanasi, Dhanbad, Gurgaon, Ajmer, Prayagraj, and Chhapra.
Full List of Announced Special Trains
The Northern Railway has released a detailed schedule. The special trains include both superfast reserved expresses and Vande Bharat services. Here are some of the key trains announced:
- Train number 05591: Gorakhpur-Anand Vihar Terminal Special
- Train number 05592: Anand Vihar Terminal-Gorakhpur Special
- Train numbers 02439 & 02440: New Delhi-Martyr Captain Tushar Mahajan Vande Bharat Special Express (bi-directional)
- Train numbers 04002 & 04001: New Delhi–Mumbai Central Reserved Superfast Special Express (bi-directional)
- Train number 04080: Hazrat Nizamuddin–Thiruvananthapuram Central Reserved Superfast Special (one way)
- Train numbers 04460 & 04459: New Delhi–Howrah Reserved Special Express (bi-directional)
- Train numbers 04062 & 04061: Delhi Sarai Rohilla–Sabarmati Reserved Special Express (bi-directional)
- Train numbers 02309, 02310, 02395, 02396: Patna-Anand Vihar Terminal Special services (bi-directional)
- Train numbers 05563 & 05564: Darbhanga-Anand Vihar Terminal Special (bi-directional)
- Train numbers 09003 & 09004: Mumbai Central–Shakur Basti Superfast Special (bi-directional)
Addressing Seasonal Passenger Demand
The primary objective behind this large-scale operation is to clear the extra rush of passengers, often witnessed during holiday seasons and festive periods. By deploying additional trains, the Northern Railway aims to ensure comfortable travel, reduce congestion on regular services, and provide more options for travelers heading to various parts of India. This proactive measure is expected to significantly ease the booking pressure and cater to the high demand for rail travel.
The announcement underscores Indian Railways' continued focus on augmenting capacity and enhancing passenger convenience through dynamic scheduling and the introduction of premium services like the Vande Bharat Express on special routes.
