Indian Railways has announced changes to the functioning of Passenger Reservation System (PRS) counters at several locations across Delhi-NCR on November 8, 2026, in view of Diwali. While some computerized reservation offices will offer partial services during the evening shift, others will remain closed for specific hours or throughout the day.
The announcement is particularly important for passengers planning festive-season journeys who intend to book train tickets or visit reservation offices in person. According to Northern Railway, the operating hours of PRS counters will vary by location, making it essential for passengers to check the schedule before travelling to a booking office.
Alongside the reservation-counter arrangements, Indian Railways is preparing for the expected festive rush through additional special train services and passenger-management measures. Northern Railway plans to operate more than 6,200 special train trips during the 2026 festive season to accommodate increased demand.
Diwali 2026 Train Booking Alert: What Passengers Need to Know
On November 8, which falls on a Sunday in 2026, PRS counters at several Delhi-NCR locations will operate under modified schedules because of the Deepawali festival.
Himanshu Shekhar Upadhyay, Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) of Northern Railway, said that reservation counters at several locations would remain closed or provide limited services during the evening shift on the festival day.
The arrangements differ across reservation offices. Some locations will continue providing partial service until 6 pm, while a separate list of offices will close for the evening period between 2 pm and 8 pm. A third group of locations will remain closed for the entire day.
Passengers should therefore avoid assuming that all reservation offices across Delhi-NCR will follow the same timetable. Those who need to book tickets or complete reservation-related work at a counter should check the relevant location’s operating hours before setting out.
Delhi-NCR Railway Reservation Counters Offering Partial Service on November 8
According to Northern Railway’s announcement, computerized Passenger Reservation Offices at three locations will provide partial service until 18:00 hours, or 6 pm, during the evening shift on November 8.
The locations are:
- IRCA Building: The computerized reservation office will provide partial service during the evening shift until 6 pm.
- Delhi Junction: The reservation office will offer partial service until 6 pm.
- Hazrat Nizamuddin Reservation Offices: Partial reservation services will remain available until 6 pm.
Passengers planning to visit any of these offices should take the partial-service arrangement into account when scheduling their visit. The announcement specifies the availability of partial service until 18:00 hours, rather than confirming unrestricted operations throughout the evening.
Those who need assistance with ticket reservations should plan ahead and verify the service availability at their intended office. Checking the schedule in advance can help passengers avoid unnecessary trips during the busy festive period.
Full List of Reservation Offices Closed During the Evening Shift
Several computerized reservation offices across Delhi-NCR will remain closed during the evening shift from 14:00 hours to 20:00 hours, or from 2 pm to 8 pm, on November 8.
The affected locations include neighbourhood reservation offices, railway stations and other designated booking facilities across Delhi, Noida and Ghaziabad.
The complete list of reservation offices scheduled to remain closed during this evening period is as follows:
- Sarojini Nagar
- Kirti Nagar
- Shakur Basti
- Delhi Shahdara
- Ghaziabad
- Karkardooma
- Okhla
- Noida
- Tughlakabad
- Sabzi Mandi
- Adarsh Nagar
- Lajpat Nagar
- Rohini
- All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS)
- International Tourist Bureau, IRCA Building
Northern Railway has clarified that these offices will continue to operate as usual during the morning shift. The specified closure applies to the evening period between 2 pm and 8 pm.
Passengers who need to use these reservation counters are advised to complete their work during the morning shift wherever possible. Those unable to visit in the morning should check the availability of other reservation facilities or alternative booking options before travelling to the office.
The distinction between morning and evening operations is important because the announcement does not indicate that these offices will remain closed for the entire day. Instead, their regular morning operations are expected to continue, followed by the scheduled evening closure.
PRS Counters That Will Remain Closed Throughout November 8
Unlike the offices operating partially or closing only during the evening shift, six designated reservation-counter locations will remain closed for the whole day on November 8.
The affected locations are:
- Parliament House
- Press Club of India
- Railway Board
- Supreme Court
- High Court
- Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU)
Passengers intending to visit any of these locations for reservation-related work should note that the announced closure covers the entire day, rather than only the evening shift.
Anyone who normally uses one of these offices should make alternative arrangements in advance if a reservation-related task needs to be completed around the festival date. Checking the availability of another reservation office or using an applicable alternative booking channel may help avoid last-minute difficulties.
Diwali 2026 Railway Reservation Timings: Quick Reference
The following table summarises the reservation-counter arrangements announced for November 8, 2026.
| Category | Locations | Operating arrangement |
|---|---|---|
| Partial evening service | IRCA Building, Delhi Junction and Hazrat Nizamuddin Reservation Offices | Partial service until 18:00 hours (6 pm) |
| Evening closure | Sarojini Nagar, Kirti Nagar, Shakur Basti, Delhi Shahdara, Ghaziabad, Karkardooma, Okhla, Noida, Tughlakabad, Sabzi Mandi, Adarsh Nagar, Lajpat Nagar, Rohini, AIIMS and International Tourist Bureau at IRCA Building | Closed from 14:00 to 20:00 hours (2 pm to 8 pm); morning operations continue as usual |
| Full-day closure | Parliament House, Press Club of India, Railway Board, Supreme Court, High Court and Jawaharlal Nehru University | Closed throughout November 8 |
Passengers should use the table as a quick guide and confirm the relevant office’s schedule before visiting. The arrangements are specific to the locations listed in Northern Railway’s announcement.
Indian Railways Prepares for the Diwali Festive Rush
The changes to reservation-counter operations come as Indian Railways prepares for increased passenger demand during the festive season. Diwali and other major festivals often bring a surge in travel as people make journeys to visit family, attend celebrations and return to their hometowns.
To accommodate the additional demand, Northern Railway has planned more special train trips in 2026 than during the previous festive season. The railway zone is also implementing passenger-management measures intended to make station movement and boarding more organised during busy periods.
These measures include designated holding areas, separate entry and exit gates, and an increase in the number of Automatic Ticket Vending Machines (ATVMs). The initiatives are intended to support a smoother travel experience for passengers using both reserved and unreserved services.
Holding areas can help organise passenger movement during periods of heavy crowding, while separate entry and exit gates can help manage the flow of people at busy stations. Additional ATVM machines are also part of the railway’s efforts to support ticketing requirements during the festive rush.
Passengers should nevertheless plan their journeys carefully, allow sufficient time to reach stations and check the status of their train before departure. Those who need to purchase tickets or visit a reservation counter in person should also account for the special operating arrangements announced for Diwali day.
Northern Railway Plans More Than 6,200 Special Train Trips in 2026
Northern Railway plans to operate more than 6,200 special train trips during the 2026 festive season to accommodate the expected increase in passenger traffic.
This represents an increase of around 30% compared with the 4,666 special train trips operated during the previous year’s festive season, according to the information provided by the railway zone.
The expanded programme includes trips through newly regularised trains as well as additional special services announced for festive travel.
- More than 6,200 special train trips: The total number planned for the 2026 festive season.
- 4,666 trips: The number recorded during the previous festive season.
- 42 newly regularised trains: These will account for 2,600 of the planned trips.
- 3,600 additional special trips: These have already been announced.
The expanded services are intended to provide additional capacity on routes serving destinations with significant festive-season travel demand. Passengers should check train-specific schedules and ticket availability when planning their journeys.
Important Routes Covered by Festive Special Train Services
Northern Railway’s planned festive-season services include several routes connecting Delhi and other major cities with destinations across different parts of the country.
The routes mentioned in the announcement include:
- Delhi–Patna Vande Bharat
- Shakur Basti–Darbhanga
- Mata Vaishno Devi–Varanasi
- Chandigarh–Patna
- Anand Vihar–Patliputra
- New Delhi–Howrah
- Kolkata–Yog Nagari Rishikesh
- Amritsar–Barauni
- New Delhi–Danapur
- Delhi–Kamakhya
- Delhi–Gaya
- Amritsar–Jaynagar
These routes form part of the wider festive travel arrangements described by Northern Railway. The additional services are aimed at helping accommodate passengers travelling between major cities and destinations during the busy holiday period.
Travellers should check the specific train number, departure date, timetable and reservation status for their chosen journey. The announcement lists the routes but does not provide detailed departure timings or ticket availability for each service.
What Passengers Should Do Before Visiting a Reservation Counter
With different reservation offices following different schedules on November 8, passengers should take a few precautions before visiting a PRS counter in Delhi-NCR.
1. Check the operating hours of your preferred office
First, identify whether the reservation office you intend to visit will provide partial evening service, close between 2 pm and 8 pm, or remain shut throughout the day. The arrangements differ by location, so checking the specific office is essential.
2. Complete reservation work during the morning where possible
For offices listed for evening closure, Northern Railway has said that normal morning operations will continue. Passengers who need to visit these locations may therefore wish to plan their visit for the morning shift.
3. Make alternative arrangements for full-day closures
If your usual reservation office is at Parliament House, Press Club of India, Railway Board, Supreme Court, High Court or Jawaharlal Nehru University, remember that it is listed for a full-day closure. Consider another suitable booking option if you need to complete a reservation-related task.
4. Plan ahead for festive-season travel
Demand for train tickets can rise during the festive period. Passengers should check the availability of tickets on their preferred services and consider the special trains announced for the season when planning their journeys.
5. Allow extra time at busy stations
Indian Railways is introducing holding areas, separate entry and exit gates and additional ATVM machines as part of its crowd-management arrangements. Passengers should still allow enough time for reaching the station, navigating crowds and boarding their trains.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Will all railway reservation counters in Delhi-NCR be closed on November 8, 2026?
No. The announced arrangements vary by location. Some offices will provide partial service until 6 pm, some will close during the evening shift from 2 pm to 8 pm, and six listed locations will remain closed for the entire day.
Which reservation offices will offer partial service until 6 pm?
The IRCA Building, Delhi Junction and Hazrat Nizamuddin Reservation Offices are listed for partial service until 18:00 hours during the evening shift.
Which reservation counters will close from 2 pm to 8 pm?
The affected locations are Sarojini Nagar, Kirti Nagar, Shakur Basti, Delhi Shahdara, Ghaziabad, Karkardooma, Okhla, Noida, Tughlakabad, Sabzi Mandi, Adarsh Nagar, Lajpat Nagar, Rohini, AIIMS and the International Tourist Bureau at the IRCA Building. Their morning operations will continue as usual.
Which PRS counters will remain closed for the whole day?
The full-day closures apply to Parliament House, Press Club of India, Railway Board, Supreme Court, High Court and Jawaharlal Nehru University.
How many special train trips does Northern Railway plan for the 2026 festive season?
Northern Railway plans to operate more than 6,200 special train trips during the 2026 festive season, compared with 4,666 trips during the previous festive season.
Which routes are included in the festive-season train plans?
The routes listed include Delhi–Patna Vande Bharat, Shakur Basti–Darbhanga, Mata Vaishno Devi–Varanasi, Chandigarh–Patna, Anand Vihar–Patliputra, New Delhi–Howrah, Kolkata–Yog Nagari Rishikesh, Amritsar–Barauni, New Delhi–Danapur, Delhi–Kamakhya, Delhi–Gaya and Amritsar–Jaynagar.
Conclusion
Indian Railways’ Diwali 2026 reservation-counter alert is important for passengers planning to book tickets in person across Delhi-NCR on November 8. While some PRS offices will provide partial service until 6 pm, several will close during the evening shift, and six locations will remain closed throughout the day.
Passengers should check the schedule for their intended reservation office and complete any necessary work in advance wherever possible. With Northern Railway planning more than 6,200 special train trips and introducing measures such as holding areas, separate entry and exit gates, and additional ATVM machines, travellers are also advised to plan their journeys early and verify train-specific details before departure.
For breaking news and live news updates, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and Instagram. Read more on Latest India on thefoxdaily.com.
COMMENTS 0