Railways Eases Travel Rush During Durga Puja, Diwali, and Chhath
With the festive season fast approaching, the Indian Railways has rolled out a major relief for passengers. To ease congestion in regular trains during Durga Puja, Diwali, and Chhath festivals, a weekly Festival Special train service will run between Bilaspur (Chhattisgarh) and Yelahanka (Bengaluru).
The service begins on September 9, 2025, and will continue until November 18, 2025, completing 22 trips in total. This move is expected to bring significant relief to thousands of passengers traveling home or to their favorite destinations during the festive rush.
Bilaspur–Yelahanka Festival Special Train Schedule
The Bilaspur–Yelahanka Festival Special (Train No. 08261) will operate every Tuesday, while the Yelahanka–Bilaspur Festival Special (Train No. 08262) will run every Wednesday.
Train 08261: Bilaspur–Yelahanka (Bengaluru) Schedule
Departure: Bilaspur – 11:00 AM (Tuesday)
Stops & Timings:
Bhatapara – 11:38 AM
Raipur – 12:45 PM
Durg – 02:20 PM
Rajnandgaon – 02:48 PM
Dongargarh – 03:13 PM
Gondia – 04:25 PM
Wadsa – 05:57 PM
Chandafort – 07:43 PM
Vallarshah – 08:20 PM
Sirpur Kagaznagar – Night halt
Manchiryal, Kazipet, Charlapalli, Secunderabad, Lingampalli, Vikarabad, Tandur, Yadgir, Krishna Station
Arrival: Yelahanka – 07:00 PM (Wednesday)
Train 08262: Yelahanka–Bilaspur Schedule
Departure: Yelahanka – 09:00 PM (Wednesday)
Route: Via Dharmavaram, Anantapur, and connecting major stations
Arrival: Bilaspur – 05:30 AM (Thursday)
Coach Composition and Passenger Facilities
To meet the demand during the peak festive season, the Railways has allocated a balanced mix of coaches for every passenger category:
General Coaches (Unreserved) – 03
Sleeper Class – 04
SLRD (Seating-cum-Luggage Rake with Divyangjan facilities) – 01
AC 3-Tier Economy – 02
AC 3-Tier – 08
AC 2-Tier – 01
This composition ensures affordable travel for budget passengers while also catering to those seeking comfort and air-conditioned journeys.
Why Festival Special Trains Matter
Every year during major festivals, trains across India witness unprecedented passenger rush. Overcrowding often leads to:
Difficulty in securing confirmed tickets
Disputes over berths
Inconvenience for senior citizens, women, and children
Safety challenges in overcrowded compartments
By introducing special services like the Bilaspur–Yelahanka Festival Special, the Railways ensures smoother travel, reduces chaos in regular trains, and provides a safer and more comfortable journey experience.
South East Central Railway Zone Key Stoppages
The South East Central Railway (SECR) has assigned important commercial stoppages to the Bilaspur–Yelahanka Festival Special. These include:
Bilaspur
Bhatapara
Raipur
Durg
Rajnandgaon
Dongargarh
Gondia
This ensures that passengers from Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Telangana, and Karnataka benefit from the service.
Relief for IT Professionals and Migrant Workers
Bengaluru, India’s IT capital, has a large population of migrants from Chhattisgarh and Central India. During festivals, many of them travel back home, creating unmanageable crowds in trains. The new service directly connects Bilaspur with Yelahanka, providing relief for:
IT professionals traveling to Bengaluru
Migrant workers returning home for festivities
Families seeking comfortable and confirmed berths during festival season
Booking and Reservation Details
Passengers can book tickets for the Bilaspur–Yelahanka Festival Special train through:
IRCTC website and mobile app
Railway reservation counters across the country
Authorized IRCTC agents and travel partners
Given the expected demand, passengers are advised to book tickets well in advance to secure confirmed seats.
A Boost for Tourism and Connectivity
The festival special train not only caters to festive travel but also enhances tourism and business connectivity. The route covers Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka, opening opportunities for:
Tourists visiting heritage sites, temples, and cultural hubs
Pilgrims traveling during Navratri, Diwali, and Chhath
Business travelers commuting between Central India and Bengaluru’s tech hub
Railways’ Commitment to Passenger Convenience
The launch of this Festival Special service underscores Indian Railways’ continued commitment to passenger convenience during high-demand seasons. With improved frequency, better facilities, and a well-thought-out timetable, the Bilaspur–Yelahanka special train is set to ease festive travel woes for thousands of families.
Conclusion
The introduction of the Bilaspur–Yelahanka Festival Special train is indeed a big festive gift for passengers. Running from September 9 to November 18, the train promises relief from festive rush, confirmed ticket availability, and a comfortable journey across multiple states. With carefully designed stoppages, balanced coach composition, and convenient timings, this special train ensures that celebrating Durga Puja, Diwali, and Chhath with family becomes stress-free and joyful for every traveler.
