Vande Bharat Festival Special to Ease Delhi–Patna Travel
Indian Railways announces 18 trips in each direction ahead of Diwali and Chhath, with fares starting at ₹2,615.
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 14th Oct: Indian Railways has announced a 16-coach Vande Bharat Festival Special between New Delhi and Patna to manage the festive rush during Diwali and Chhath Puja. The service will operate 18 trips in each direction, offering passengers an additional travel option amid heavy demand and long waiting lists on regular trains.
The train will cover the Delhi–Patna journey in approximately 12 hours and 55 minutes, with scheduled stops at Aligarh, Kanpur Central, Prayagraj, Pt Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction, Buxar and Ara.
Vande Bharat Festival Special: Operating Dates
According to Saraswati Chandra, Chief Public Relations Officer of East Central Railway, the service has been planned to accommodate increased passenger demand during the festive season.
Train No. 02252: New Delhi–Patna
- First run: October 16, 2026.
- Thereafter, the train is scheduled to operate every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday from October 21 to November 25, 2026.
Train No. 02251: Patna–New Delhi
- Initial services: October 17 and 19, 2026.
- Thereafter, the train is scheduled to operate every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday from October 22 to November 26, 2026.
Timetable and Stoppages
Train No. 02252: New Delhi to Patna
| Station | Scheduled arrival/departure |
|---|---|
| New Delhi | Departure: 8:35 AM |
| Aligarh | 10:21 AM |
| Kanpur Central | 1:30 PM |
| Prayagraj | 3:45 PM |
| Pt Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction | 6:00 PM |
| Buxar | 7:26 PM |
| Ara | 8:10 PM |
| Patna Junction | Arrival: 9:30 PM |
Train No. 02251: Patna to New Delhi
| Station | Scheduled arrival/departure |
|---|---|
| Patna Junction | Departure: 10:00 AM |
| Ara | 10:38 AM |
| Buxar | 11:25 AM |
| Pt Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction | 1:10 PM |
| Prayagraj | 3:35 PM |
| Kanpur Central | 5:50 PM |
| Aligarh | 8:53 PM |
| New Delhi | Arrival: 11:30 PM |
Ticket Fares and Passenger Convenience
The fare for the Vande Bharat Festival Special has been set at ₹2,615 for AC Chair Car and ₹4,695 for Executive Chair Car.
With regular trains facing high demand around Diwali and Chhath Puja, the additional service is intended to provide passengers with another option for travelling between Delhi and Bihar. The faster journey and stops at major stations across Uttar Pradesh are expected to benefit passengers travelling home for the festivals.
Passengers should check the latest railway timetable and ticket availability before planning their journey, as special-train schedules and booking details may be subject to change.
