Diwali, Chhath Puja train chaos: IRCTC shows ‘high load’, ‘regret’; Railways announce special trains, check schedule

Diwali Chhath Puja Train Chaos Puts Bihar-Bound Travellers Under Pressure

Theindiapostdaily.com – The Diwali Chhath Puja train chaos has left many passengers struggling to book railway tickets for journeys to Bihar. Travellers reported seeing “high load”, “error” and “regret” messages on the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) platform as demand surged soon after bookings opened.

The pressure is strongest on trains linking Delhi and other northern cities with Bihar. For many people working or studying away from home, Diwali and Chhath Puja are important occasions to return to their towns and villages, making confirmed tickets especially difficult to secure.

Indian Railways allows advance reservations for regular trains 60 days before departure, excluding the date of travel. For travel on November 12, 2026, booking opens at 8 am. However, passengers said that even logging in at the opening time did not ensure ticket availability.

“Dear Railway Minister Sir, Every year during Diwali and Chhath Puja, when we try to book train tickets to go home to Bihar, we log into the IRCTC app two months in advance. However, the app crashes and shows a ‘Regret’.”

Waiting Lists Grow Within Minutes

Ticket searches conducted at around 8 am on Sunday, September 13, for Bihar-bound services near November 12 showed “regret” in several categories. Waiting lists on some trains had crossed 100 passengers, while certain classes had lists exceeding 200.

Passengers described a frustrating booking experience, with some saying the IRCTC site remained busy or worked only intermittently after reservations began. By the time the platform became accessible, many seats had already been sold.

“…since 8 Am, I am Trying to book a railway ticket to go home (Bihar) for Diwali and Chhath Puja, but the system keeps showing ‘Error’ or ‘High System Load. Not booked a ticket…”

One traveller questioned how ordinary passengers could travel home if the “regret” status appeared only minutes after bookings opened. The Diwali Chhath Puja train chaos highlights the yearly strain on popular festival routes, particularly those serving Bihar.

“If REGRET happens just a few minutes after ticket booking starts, then how will the common passenger get home? During festivals, trains are a necessity for the public, not some VIP facility.”

Railways Announce Festival Special Trains

Indian Railways is operating festival special trains to manage the seasonal rush, with services scheduled between September 16 and November 30. East Central Railway announced the timetable for 16 special trains on September 9.

The additional trains include weekly, biweekly and daily services connecting Bihar with more than 10 major cities, including Delhi, Chandigarh, Firozpur Cantt and Rishikesh. Key Bihar destinations include Patna Junction, Patliputra Junction, Muzaffarpur and Jogbani.

Special Train Schedule for Delhi and Bihar Routes

A Delhi–Sitamarhi special train will run every Thursday from October 15 to November 19. The return service from Sitamarhi to Delhi will operate on Saturdays from October 17 to November 21.

An Anand Vihar–Jogbani special train is scheduled to run on Saturdays from October 10 to November 7. Its return journey from Jogbani to Anand Vihar will operate on Sundays between October 11 and November 8.

The Anand Vihar–Muzaffarpur special train will run on Tuesdays and Fridays from October 13 to November 24. Return services from Muzaffarpur are scheduled for Wednesdays and Saturdays from October 14 through November 25.

A daily Anand Vihar–Patliputra festival service will also operate from October 1 to November 29, adding another travel option during the peak Diwali and Chhath Puja period.

FAQ: Diwali and Chhath Puja Train Travel to Bihar

Why is it so hard to get Bihar-bound tickets during Diwali and Chhath?

Festival travel demand rises sharply as people return home for Diwali and Chhath Puja. Popular routes from Delhi and other cities to Bihar can sell out quickly, and waiting lists may rise within minutes of booking opening.

What should passengers do if IRCTC shows “high load” or “regret”?

Passengers should check alternative trains, classes and nearby boarding or destination stations where appropriate. They can also review festival special train schedules and monitor availability for cancellations.

When do regular railway bookings open?

Advance reservations for regular services open 60 days before departure, excluding the journey date. Passengers should verify the booking date and departure details before attempting to reserve tickets.

Which special routes are available for Bihar travellers?

Festival services include Delhi–Sitamarhi, Anand Vihar–Jogbani, Anand Vihar–Muzaffarpur and Anand Vihar–Patliputra routes, with operations scheduled across October and November.