Diwali To Chhath 2025 Travel Alert: Indian Railways Announces New Ticket Rules, Discounts & Station Curbs

It's that time of year again when people head back to their hometowns to embrace the festive joy of Diwali and Chhath. While returning home can be filled with nostalgia and excitement, high flight prices and packed trains can make the experience less enjoyable. Although we can't do much about the airfare, Indian Railways has stepped in to enhance your festive travels. To help make your trips more comfortable, Indian Railways has rolled out a set of updated rules, deals, and restrictions covering everything from ticket reservations to platform access and discounts.

The Indian Railways has introduced several updates concerning ticket sales, safety measures, and festive travel arrangements. Platform ticket sales will be suspended at key stations in Delhi, Mumbai, and Gujarat until October 28, 2025. In Delhi, from October 15 to October 28, platform tickets will not be available at five major stations: New Delhi, Delhi Junction, Hazrat Nizamuddin, Anand Vihar Terminal, and Ghaziabad.

Similarly, in Mumbai, the Western Railways is halting platform ticket sales at Bandra Terminus from October 15 to October 31, with additional stations in the Mumbai division, including Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, Dadar, and Thane, also affected from October 16 to October 28. In Gujarat, stations such as Vapi, Surat, and Udhna will see platform ticket sales suspended from October 15 to October 31.

Indian Railways Issues Safety Advisory, Launches Special Scheme And More

As Diwali and Chhath Puja approach, Indian Railways has also issued a safety advisory, warning passengers against carrying flammable items and firecrackers on trains. Prohibited substances include gas cylinders, kerosene, and petrol, with violators potentially facing up to three years in prison and fines of up to INR 1,000.

To accommodate the increase in passenger traffic during the festive season, Indian Railways has introduced the "Festival Round Trip Scheme," offering a 20% discount on the return journey ticket when both the onward and return tickets are booked simultaneously. Certain conditions apply, including specific travel periods and the requirement for confirmed bookings.

Lastly, to facilitate festive travel, the Central Railway will run 1,702 special trains for Diwali and Chhath Puja, ensuring passengers can celebrate with their families.