TV
Anticipating a record surge in passenger traffic during this year’s Durga Puja and festive season, Indian Railways has announced a series of measures, including the introduction of special trains on Odisha routes.
The move comes as regular trains are already running at near-full occupancy, with long waitlists building up on major sectors.
Patna–Puri Weekly Puja Special Introduced
The East Central Railway will operate a weekly Patna–Puri Puja Special (03230/03229) from August 28 to December 25, 2025. The service will depart Patna every Thursday and return from Puri every Friday until December 26.
Key halts in Odisha include Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur Road, Cuttack, Bhubaneswar, Khurda Road, and Sakhigopal, ensuring connectivity for both local and long-distance passengers.
The train’s composition features one Second AC coach, two Third AC coaches, nine Sleeper Class coaches, six Second Class seating coaches, and two luggage-cum-second class coaches equipped with Divyangjan-friendly facilities.
Long Waitlists And Rising Travel Demand
Train status on IRCTC confirmed that trains on busy routes such as Howrah, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, New Delhi, Pune, and Mumbai are already oversubscribed.
Waitlists have extended weeks ahead of travel dates, highlighting the pressing need for additional berths and special trains. With passenger demand expected to swell further in October, more such services are likely to be announced.
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Why Demand Is Soaring This Year
Several factors are contributing to the unprecedented demand for train travel in Odisha this festive season.
First, airfares have surged beyond the reach of many families, with a one-way ticket to Kolkata now costing over Rs 3,200 and a Delhi fare touching Rs 6,000. Second, recent air mishaps, including the Ahmedabad Air India crash, have nudged many travellers to opt for trains, booking even premium First and Second AC classes.
The introduction of Vande Bharat Express services has also played a role, making rail journeys faster, smoother, and more attractive at a lower cost compared to air travel. Added to this, the Durga Puja season coincides with school and office holidays, encouraging families to plan trips.
Migrant and IT workers employed in metropolitan cities are also expected to return home in large numbers, further fueling bookings.
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Railways Braces For Peak Travel
With both long-distance and short-haul routes likely to remain congested in the coming weeks, Indian Railways is preparing additional rakes and working out revised schedules to cater to Odisha’s passenger load.
As of the latest reports, the Patna–Puri Puja Special is only the first in a series of seasonal arrangements, as the network braces for what could be one of the busiest festive travel periods in recent years.
