New Delhi: With air travel thrown into disarray due to IndiGo’s continuing operational meltdown, Northern Railway has stepped in to offer relief to passengers by announcing 13 special trains across key routes between December 6 and 12, 2025. The move is aimed at managing a surge in demand ahead of the festive season and accommodating travellers stranded by widespread flight cancellations.
The special services will connect major cities including Anand Vihar Terminal, Gorakhpur, Patna, Darbhanga, Mumbai Central, Sabarmati, Howrah, Jaipur and Thiruvananthapuram, offering alternative travel options to thousands affected by ongoing aviation disruptions.
Multiple Special Trains Across High-Demand Routes
Among the key additions is the Gorakhpur–Anand Vihar Terminal Special (05591/05592), which will run two trips each way between December 7 and 9. Northern Railway has also scheduled a reserved Vande Bharat Special Express (02439/02440) between New Delhi and Martyr Captain Tushar Mahajan station on December 6.
Long-distance travellers will benefit from the newly announced New Delhi–Mumbai Central Reserved Superfast Special (04002/04001), set to operate on December 6 and 7. Another major service, the Hazrat Nizamuddin–Thiruvananthapuram Central Reserved Superfast Special (04080), will run one-way on December 6.
Relief for Patna, Howrah and Sabarmati-Bound Passengers
Recognising heavy traffic on eastern corridors, the zone has listed several special services, including:
-
New Delhi–Howrah Special (04460/04459) on December 6 and 8
-
Delhi Sarai Rohilla–Sabarmati Special (04062/04061) on December 6 and 7
For the high-demand Patna route, Northern Railway will operate Patna–Anand Vihar Terminal Special (02309/02310) across four consecutive days — December 6 to 9 — along with Train No. 02395/02396, scheduled on December 7 and 8.
Travellers headed to Darbhanga will have the option of the Darbhanga–Anand Vihar Terminal Special (05563/05564), running on December 7 and 9.
Western India Gets Additional Connectivity
To manage the rush toward Maharashtra and Gujarat, the railway zone will run:
-
Mumbai Central–Shakur Basti Superfast Special (09003/09004) from December 8 to 11
-
Sabarmati BG–Delhi Junction Superfast Special (09497/09498) during the same period
These trains are expected to provide much-needed alternatives for passengers struggling to secure tickets amid soaring airfares and mass flight cancellations triggered by IndiGo’s operational crisis.
Railways Urge Travellers to Stay Updated
Northern Railway has advised passengers to frequently check the NTES app or call 139 to stay informed about schedule changes, seat availability and real-time updates.
With IndiGo flights still delayed or cancelled across multiple airports, officials say they are preparing for high passenger turnout on these special trains. The additional services are expected to absorb a significant portion of displaced flyers who are now opting for rail travel.
