Guwahati, 10 October (HS): Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) has introduced four pairs of special trains to facilitate passenger movement during the Puja, Diwali and Chhath festivals, providing additional connectivity between the Northeast and various destinations in eastern and northern India.

The special services will connect Narangi with Gorakhpur, Katihar with Sabaur, Firozpur Cantonment with Purnea, and Bhagalpur with Katihar. These trains will benefit passengers travelling across Assam, West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab and Chandigarh, enabling them to reach their hometowns and celebrate the festive season with their families.

Train No. 05633, the Narangi–Gorakhpur Weekly Festival Special, will operate every Friday from October 16 to November 27, 2026. It will depart from Narangi at 8 pm and arrive at Gorakhpur at 9.40 pm the following day. The return service, Train No. 05634, will run every Sunday from October 18 to November 29, departing Gorakhpur at 1.10 am and reaching Narangi at 3 am on Monday. Both services will operate seven trips in each direction with 22 coaches.

The Katihar–Sabaur Puja Special Intercity Express (Train No. 05782) commenced operations on October 8 and will continue until November 30. It departs from Katihar at 4.50 pm every Thursday, Sunday and Monday, reaching Sabaur at 11 pm the same day. The return service, Train No. 05781, began on October 9 and will operate until December 1. It leaves Sabaur at 4.50 am every Friday, Monday and Tuesday and reaches Katihar at 10.55 am. Both trains will operate 24 trips in each direction with 22 coaches.

The Firozpur Cantonment–Purnea Festival Special Express (Train No. 04634) began its service on October 8 and will run until November 26. It departs from Firozpur Cantonment at 5.30 pm every Thursday and arrives at Purnea at 3 am on Saturday. Its return service, Train No. 04633, will operate every Saturday from October 10 to November 28, departing Purnea at 6 am and reaching Firozpur Cantonment at 4.35 pm on Sunday. Both services will run eight trips in each direction with 18 coaches.

Meanwhile, the Bhagalpur–Katihar Special (Train No. 03409) commenced daily operations on October 7 and will continue until November 30. It departs Bhagalpur at 5.30 pm and reaches Katihar at 11.10 pm. The return service, Train No. 03410, began on October 8 and will run until December 1, leaving Katihar at 6.35 am and arriving at Bhagalpur at 12.05 pm. Both services will operate 55 trips in each direction.

NFR said the additional services are aimed at easing the rush during the festive period and improving travel convenience for passengers across the Northeast and other parts of the country. Passengers have been advised to check the detailed schedules, stoppages and other travel-related information before commencing their journeys.------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash