Indian Railways Announces Festive Season Plan for Diwali 2025 Including Reduced Reservation Counter Operations, Parcel Handling Suspension, and Guidelines to Manage Increased Passenger Flow

Indian Railways has unveiled its festive season plan for Diwali 2025 to ensure smooth and safe travel across Delhi-NCR during the peak holiday rush. The advisory outlines reduced operations at Passenger Reservation System (PRS) counters, temporary suspension of parcel handling, and specific guidelines to manage increased passenger flow. These measures have been introduced to prevent overcrowding, maintain operational efficiency, and facilitate timely train services amid the surge in travel demand during the festival period.

Indian Railways has rolled out a special Diwali 2025 travel notice for passengers across the Delhi–National Capital Region, detailing revised operating hours for Passenger Reservation System (PRS) counters, key service adjustments, and strict parcel booking suspensions during the festive week. The temporary measures will be enforced to manage the massive surge in passenger traffic typical of the festive season and ensure smoother station operations.

Advance Planning Advised as Reservation Counters Face Festive Restrictions

To observe the Diwali holiday on 20 October 2025, several PRS counters will not operate according to their usual hours. Many will either function for limited hours or remain closed during peak evening periods, prompting the Railways to urge travelers to book tickets in advance.

While select PRS offices will operate only until 18:00 hrs, a larger group of reservation counters has been instructed to suspend services between 14:00 hrs and 20:00 hrs. These include PRS counters located in some of the busiest neighborhoods and commuter hubs of Delhi-NCR such as:

• Sarojini Nagar
• Kirti Nagar
• Shakurbasti
• Delhi Shahdara
• Ghaziabad
• Karkardooma
• Okhla
• Noida
• Tughlakabad
• Subzi Mandi
• Adarsh Nagar
• Lajpat Nagar
• Rohini
• AIIMS
• International Tourist Bureau

These closures are expected to affect over-the-counter ticket bookings, prompting authorities to recommend the use of online reservation methods where possible.

Key Stations to Offer Partial PRS Functionality

Several additional PRS locations will be operational but only partially during the evening shift. These stations will remain open but are likely to experience reduced staff strength and slower service. Partial service PRS locations include:

• Anand Vihar Terminal
• Sahibabad
• Naya Ghaziabad
• Gurgaon
• Palam
• Delhi Cantonment
• Delhi Sarai Rohilla
• Faridabad
• Ballabhgarh
• Palwal
• Narela
• Sonipat
• Panipat
• Kurukshetra
• Rohtak

Passengers planning to visit these counters are advised to account for delays and confirm timings locally before travel. Territorial Railway offices have clarified that routine PRS operations will be fully restored only from 21 October onwards.

Full-Day Reservation Counter Closure in Select Zones

Beyond partial closures, the advisory also confirms the complete shutdown of certain PRS offices for the entire day of 20 October due to the Diwali holiday. These include PRS facilities housed within restricted institutional premises, administrative complexes, and government buildings within Delhi. No reservation services of any kind—regular, current, or tatkal—will be available at these locations on that day.

Current Reservation Counters to Continue Without Disruption

To prevent inconvenience to last-minute travelers, Indian Railways has ensured that all Current Reservation Counters will continue their regular operations even on Diwali. These counters deal with same-day ticket requirements and reservation amendments and will function at:

• New Delhi Railway Station (both Paharganj and Ajmeri Gate sides)
• Delhi Main
• Hazrat Nizamuddin
• Anand Vihar Terminal
• Delhi Sarai Rohilla

These counters will play a crucial role in managing high passenger volume on festival day and are expected to experience heavy footfall.

Parcel Bookings Suspended for One Week to Ease Passenger Flow

To maintain platform safety and ensure free passenger movement amid festival crowds, Indian Railways has temporarily suspended parcel traffic across Delhi area stations. From 20 October to 26 October, parcel booking and handling services will remain suspended at:

• New Delhi
• Delhi Junction
• Anand Vihar Terminal

The restriction includes:

• All standard parcel consignments
• Leased Second Luggage Rack (SLR) consignments
• Assistant Guard Coach (AGC) consignments
• Parcel Vans (VPs)

There will be no loading or unloading of parcels, even for trains passing through Delhi that are normally permitted to exchange parcel cargo. Station platforms and parcel godowns will be kept clear to prevent congestion.

However, personal luggage carried by passengers remains unaffected. Railway rules for luggage in passenger coaches will continue as usual. Booking of registered print publications such as newspapers and magazines will be allowed only after fulfilling commercial documentation requirements.

Indian Railways has released its Diwali 2025 festive season plan in Delhi-NCR, featuring reduced PRS counter operations, temporary parcel handling suspension, and measures to manage increased passenger flow to ensure safe and efficient travel during the festival rush.

Railways Encourages Online Booking to Avoid Crowding

Indian Railways has appealed to passengers to make use of digital booking channels instead of physical counters during the restricted phase. The move is expected to significantly reduce pressure at reservation windows and minimize waiting times for essential passengers.

Additional advisories may be issued based on passenger movement trends during the festive period. Passengers are urged to stay updated via official Indian Railways announcements.

The post Indian Railways Announces Festive Season Plan for Diwali 2025 Including Reduced Reservation Counter Operations, Parcel Handling Suspension, and Guidelines to Manage Increased Passenger Flow appeared first on Travel and Tour World