Special Trains Announced After Diwali Festival: Good News for Travelers from Chennai and Bengaluru!
Chennai, Bengaluru – October 20, 2025
After the grand தீபாவளி கொண்டாட்டம், celebrated with excitement across Tamil Nadu and India, thousands of people are returning from their hometowns and festive visits back to their workplaces. The continuous holiday, which has just ended, saw an estimated 20 lakh people traveling from Chennai alone, causing heavy demand for rail and bus transportation. With regular bookings fully packed, Indian Railways has announced special trains from Chennai and Bengaluru to meet this surge, offering relief and convenience to travelers.
Special Diwali Trains from Chennai to Tirunelveli
To ease post-festival travel, a special train numbered 06166/06165 will run between Chennai Egmore and Tirunelveli. The southbound train (06166) departs Tirunelveli at 11:55 PM on October 22, 2025, arriving at Chennai Egmore at 10:55 AM the next day. The return (northbound) train (06165) leaves Chennai Egmore at 12:30 PM on October 23, reaching Tirunelveli by early morning at 12:15 AM the following day.
This special includes the following coaches:
- 1 AC Two-tier
- 2 AC Three-tier
- 9 Sleeper Class
- 4 General Class
- 2 Brake Vans for luggage
Key stops en route include Kovilpatti, Sattur, Virudhunagar, Madurai, Dindigul, Tiruchirappalli, Villupuram, and Tambaram—important stations for Tamil Nadu residents heading home or back to cities.
Bengaluru-Karaikur Special Trains for Diwali Return Journey
Similar services are announced from Bengaluru with Train No. 06263 departing Bangalore at 9:50 AM (Oct 22 & 29, 2025) and reaching Karaikur the next day at 4:30 PM. The return special (06264) departs Karaikur at 5:45 PM and arrives in Bengaluru Kondonment at 10:30 PM the following night.
Special trains after Diwali festival
This train offers:
- 1 AC First cum Two-tier
- 1 AC Two-tier
- 2 AC Three-tier
- 10 Sleeper
- 4 General coaches
Such accommodations provide travelers of all classes options to travel comfortably during the festive rush.
Why Special Trains Are Essential?
Southern Railway officials confirm that due to the backlog of passengers post-Diwali, ticket bookings for normal trains and buses are sold out, compelling the railways to arrange these special trains. This announcement brings good news especially for Tamil Nadu travelers seeking hassle-free and timely return trips.
Measures like these also reduce congestion at stations such as Chennai Egmore, Tambaram, and Koramangala in Bengaluru while ensuring smooth operations despite the surge in passenger volume.
Table: Key Details of Post-Diwali Special Trains
| Route | Train No. | Departure | Arrival | Coach Composition | Major Stops |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tirunelveli-Chennai Egmore | 06166 (South) / 06165 (North) | Tirunelveli 11:55 PM (Oct 22) / Chennai Egmore 12:30 PM (Oct 23) | Chennai Egmore 10:55 AM (Oct 23) / Tirunelveli 12:15 AM (Oct 24) | 1 AC 2-tier, 2 AC 3-tier, 9 Sleeper, 4 General, 2 Brake Vans | Kovilpatti, Sattur, Madurai, Trichy, Villupuram, Tambaram |
| Bengaluru-Karaikur | 06263 (South) / 06264 (North) | Bengaluru 9:50 AM (Oct 22 & 29) / Karaikur 5:45 PM (Oct 23 & 30) | Karaikur 4:30 PM (Oct 23 & 30) / Bengaluru 10:30 PM (Oct 24 & 31) | 1 AC First cum 2-tier, 1 AC 2-tier, 2 AC 3-tier, 10 Sleeper, 4 General | Multiple stops along the SW corridor |
Official Sources and Traveler Advisory
A Southern Railway spokesperson stated:
“The special trains have been designed with passenger convenience in mind post-Diwali. We urge travelers to book early to avoid last-minute rush and check the Indian Railways website for real-time availability and updates.”
For booking and timetable details, travelers are advised to consult the official Southern Railway site https://sr.indianrailways.gov.in and follow station announcements closely.
Local Tamil Nadu Impact and Travel Tips
With over 20 lakh people traveling from Chennai and neighboring regions during Diwali, these special trains provide critical connectivity to families and workers returning to urban centers or rural hometowns. The additions help maintain Tamil Nadu’s festive spirit without transport disruptions.
Passengers should also be aware of other transport advisories in Chennai and Bengaluru during this period, including special metro timings and road traffic updates, to plan their journeys smoothly.
Engage With Us!
Are you planning to travel on these special festive trains? Share your experiences and tips for fellow travelers in the comments below. Stay updated with more travel and news around Tamil Nadu’s festivals by visiting TN8 regularly.
Disclaimer: Information is based on official railway announcements and is subject to change. Passengers are requested to verify schedules before travel.
