Even with 47 days left for Diwali, trains from Ahmedabad to Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Delhi are already packed, with IRCTC flashing “regret” messages and waitlists running into three digits across classes.
Officials attribute the surge to early bookings by the city’s migrant workforce, families planning ahead, and travellers avoiding soaring airfares. Railway authorities have deployed extra RPF personnel at stations to manage queues and prevent chaos.
With Tatkal seats unlikely to offer much relief, passengers are left weighing buses or costly flights. To ease demand, railways will introduce special services, starting with the Vatva–Raxaul weekly special from September 17 to December 31. More specials are expected on high-demand routes.
Busiest routes from Ahmedabad:
Delhi: Rajdhani (12957), Ashram Express (12915), Sarvodaya Express (12473), Yoga Express (19031)
Bihar: ADI–Bhuj Express (19483) to Danapur, Kamakhya Express (15667) to Patna
Uttar Pradesh: SBIB–Thawe Express (19409), Sabarmati Express (19269), HWH–Garbha Express (12937)
Rajasthan: Ashram Express (12915) to Jaipur, GNC–DLPC Express (19411), ASV–JPSF Express (12982) to Udaipur
Madhya Pradesh: SMNH–JBP Express (11465) to Bhopal, Shanti Express (19309) to Indore (WL: 136 in 3AC, 100+ in sleeper)