Diwali 2026: Southern Railway Plans 95 Special Trains for Festival Travel

Southern Railway is planning to operate 95 special trains for Diwali 2026 to accommodate the surge in passenger demand during the festival season. According to a report published on October 14, the plan includes 20 special trains from Chennai to southern districts of Tamil Nadu, with additional services also being considered.

Diwali will be celebrated on Sunday, November 8, 2026. Thousands of passengers are expected to travel from Chennai to their hometowns to celebrate the festival with their families.

Diwali Special Trains 2026: Why Are More Services Needed?

Train ticket reservations open 60 days in advance. For this year`s Diwali travel period, reservations reportedly opened between September 6 and September 9. Due to heavy demand, tickets on several trains sold out within minutes, leaving many passengers on waiting lists.

Passengers awaiting confirmation are now looking forward to the announcement of additional special trains.

Southern Railway Plans 95 Special Trains

According to railway officials quoted in the report, Southern Railway operated 85 special trains to various destinations across the country during last year`s Diwali season. For 2026, it is planning to increase the number to 95 trains.

However, the final number of services may change depending on passenger demand and operational requirements.

20 Special Trains Planned from Chennai to Southern Districts

Southern Railway is also planning to operate 20 special trains from Chennai to southern districts to help passengers reach their hometowns.

Additional services to the following destinations are being considered:

Tirunelveli

Thoothukudi

Nagercoil

Madurai

Kanniyakumari

Railway officials have noted that tickets on trains connecting Chennai with these destinations tend to sell out quickly. Therefore, additional services beyond the proposed 20 trains may be considered.

When Will Diwali Special Train Bookings Begin?

The final schedule and booking details have not been confirmed in the report. Railway officials are expected to send a proposal to the Railway Board regarding the operation of Diwali special trains.

Passengers should check official Southern Railway announcements and authorised railway booking platforms for confirmed train numbers, departure dates, timings and reservation availability.

The proposed services aim to ease festival-season congestion and provide more travel options for passengers heading home for Diwali.