पटना: त्योहारों के चलते ईस्ट सेंट्रल रेलवे ने पटना–पुरी, दानापुर–बेंगलुरू सहित कई स्पेशल ट्रेनों की सेवाएं बढ़ाईं

East Central Railway has extended several special passenger train services to handle the festive rush. The extensions cover Patna–Puri, Puri–Patna and multiple Danapur–Bengaluru specials with runs scheduled between August and January. Exact train numbers, additional trips and revised end dates have been announced.

The Patna–Puri weekly special 03229/03230 has been extended up to December 25, adding 18 trips from August 28 to December 25. This train leaves Patna every Thursday at 8.45am and reaches Puri the next day at 5.00am; on return it departs Puri every Friday at 2.15pm and reaches Patna the next day at 10.45am. A separate Puri–Patna special 08439/08440 has been extended up to November 30, making a total of 12 trips from September 13 to November 30.

The Danapur–SMVB Bengaluru biweekly special 03251/03252 will run up to December 31, with departures from Danapur every Sunday and Monday at 3.00pm and arrival at Bengaluru on the third day at 2.30pm. On the return leg it leaves Bengaluru every Tuesday and Wednesday at 11.50pm and reaches Danapur on the third day at 11.55pm; this special will make 36 trips in the period. In addition, the Danapur–Bengaluru weekly special 03259/03260 gets 18 extra trips from September 2 to January 1, 2026, leaving Danapur every Tuesday at 3.00pm and returning from Bengaluru every Thursday at 11.50pm.

Services of Malda Town–Surat Express 13425/13426, Vasco da Gama–Jasidih Express 17321/17322 and Bilaspur–Patna Express 22843/22844 have been cancelled on August 29, 30, 31 and September 1. These cancellations are due to non‑interlocking work in the Bilaspur division of South East Central Railway. Affected passengers will need to note the cancellations for those four dates.

The extended specials will operate as per the revised schedules and end on the dates given for each train. Travellers planning festive travel on these routes should use the updated timetables and reservation systems to confirm availability. Operations will continue under the East Central Railway schedule until further notice.