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Over the past few days, Christmas and New Year travel plans across India have gained momentum, with millions of passengers preparing for year-end journeys amid rising demand on major railway routes.
Indian Railways has announced the operation of 244 special train services across the country to manage the heavy passenger rush expected during Christmas and New Year celebrations. The move aims to ensure smoother travel for millions of passengers planning journeys between late December 2025 and early January 2026.
The festive season traditionally sees a sharp rise in train travel, with passengers heading to their hometowns as well as popular tourist destinations such as Goa, Kerala, Rajasthan, and hill stations across North and Northeast India. To address this annual surge, the Railways has planned additional services across eight railway zones, with more trains likely to be added based on demand.
According to an official statement from the Ministry of Railways, a total of 244 trips have been notified so far, covering key long-distance and high-demand routes nationwide.
Key Routes Covered by Christmas and New Year Special Trains
One of the major focus areas for the festive train operations is the Mumbai–Goa Konkan corridor, which experiences exceptionally high demand during Christmas and New Year.
Special trains will operate between:
- Mumbai CSMT / Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (LTT)
- Karmali and Madgaon (Goa)
These services will halt at important stations along the Konkan route and offer additional sleeper and reserved seating coaches to accommodate holiday travellers.
Maharashtra will also see extra trains on popular routes such as:
- Mumbai–Nagpur
- Pune–Sanganer
- CSMT–Nagpur
Additional Services Across North, East, South and Central India
Indian Railways has planned festive special trains across multiple regions to reduce congestion and waiting lists.
Northern and Eastern India will benefit from additional services connecting cities like Delhi, Howrah, Lucknow, Patna and Jaipur, helping long-distance passengers secure confirmed seats.
In Southern and Central India, special trains will operate between major cities including Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Mangaluru, Chennai and Thiruvananthapuram. Routes such as LTT–Thiruvananthapuram are expected to see multiple trips due to high seasonal demand, especially from Kerala-bound travellers during Christmas.
More Special Trains Likely to Be Announced
The Ministry of Railways has indicated that:
- The announced 244 trips are part of the first phase
- Additional special trains may be introduced if passenger demand increases
- Some trains will operate daily, while others will run weekly or bi-weekly
Passengers are advised to regularly check IRCTC and official railway updates for newly added services and schedule changes.
Travel Advisory for Festive Season Passengers
Indian Railways has also advised passengers travelling during the festive season to plan their journeys carefully:
- Book tickets early as seats on popular routes sell out quickly
- Arrive at stations well in advance due to heavy crowds and security checks
- Use digital tickets and mobile alerts to avoid queues and stay informed
- Carry essentials such as water, snacks, and power banks for convenience
Railways Boosts Capacity Ahead of Holiday Rush
With the introduction of these special trains, Indian Railways aims to significantly reduce overcrowding, waiting lists, and last-minute travel issues during one of the busiest travel periods of the year. The initiative is expected to provide passengers with a more comfortable and organised travel experience during Christmas and New Year celebrations.