To address the increase in travel that is likely to happen as India nears the Diwali season, the Indian Railways Travel Catering and Tourism Cooperation has announced 39 special trains. These trains will be air-conditioned and will include the likes of Rajdhani and Shatabdi, some of the fastest trains in India.
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The Tejas Express is also due to start by 17 October, to meet this monumental upsurge in travel.
These trains will vary in frequency which can range from once a week to daily according to the probable travel uptick between the connected cities. While the New Delhi to Habibganj is likely to run everyday, the Bhubaneswar to New Delhi express will run just once a week.
Railways remains the most viable option for long distance travel in India. Judging by the sudden rise in travel via train that happens around October as the Diwali holidays begin, the demand is likely to rise this year as well. The IRCTC has undergone extensive training to conduct operations in this new normal and is all set to begin the functioning of these special trains in adherence to the strict covid-19 guidelines being implemented in the state.