In a swift response to the widespread travel disruption caused by the cancellation of IndiGo flights, the Indian Railways has announced a major operational push. The national transporter will be running 89 special trains starting from Saturday, December 6, 2025, for the subsequent three days to accommodate stranded passengers.
Railway Zones Mobilize Across the Network
This large-scale effort will see these special trains covering more than 100 trips across various railway zones. Leading the initiative, the Central Railway will operate the maximum number of services, with 14 special trains on key routes. These crucial connections include Pune to Bengaluru, Pune to Hazrat Nizamuddin in Delhi, and services from Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (LTT) in Mumbai to Madgaon and Lucknow.
Other important routes activated under this plan are Nagpur to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT), Gorakhpur to LTT, and Bilaspur to LTT. The South Eastern Railway will manage flows with trains like Santragachi-Yelahanka and Howrah–CSMT. Officials confirmed that the South Central Railway had already started operations on Saturday, running three special trains from Cherlapalli to Shalimar, Secunderabad to Chennai Egmore, and from Hyderabad to Mumbai LTT.
Coordinated Response from All Regions
The Eastern Railway is focusing on connectivity from Howrah and Sealdah to other major destinations. To address the demand in the western part of the country, the Western Railway will operate seven special trains. Additionally, it will run a one-trip Special Fare Special Train from Durgapura to Bandra Terminus on Sunday.
Recognizing the seasonal travel pattern, the East Central Railway will facilitate winter travel from Bihar by operating special trains from Patna and Darbhanga to Anand Vihar Terminal in Delhi. The North Western Railway will run two Special Fare Special trains on a one-trip basis to clear the extra rush anticipated in the upcoming period. Completing the national picture, the North Central Railway will operate special trains between Prayagraj and New Delhi.
Managing the Fallout of Air Travel Disruption
This massive deployment of resources underscores the Indian Railways' role as the backbone of the country's transport system during crises. The move is directly aimed at mitigating the inconvenience faced by thousands of passengers affected by the sudden cancellation of IndiGo flights. By mobilizing special trains across diverse zones, the railways ensure connectivity between major economic and cultural hubs, providing a reliable alternative for stranded travelers.
The announcement, made on Saturday evening, highlights the system's agility in responding to emergent situations. Passengers are advised to check the official railway websites and announcements for detailed schedules and booking availability for these special services.
