- By Yashashvi Tak
- Mon, 13 Oct 2025 01:46 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Diwali Chhath Train Reservation Update: Northern Railway has announced the addition of 30 lakh extra berths across its network to handle the heavy rush of passengers traveling home for Diwali and Chhath Puja. Officials further stated that special trains are running during the festive season to various cities in Purvanchal, Bihar, Jharkhand, and Uttar Pradesh. As these special trains are announced, their schedules are being released.
This move aims to eliminate the dreaded “Coach Regret” status that appears when trains reach full booking capacity on the IRCTC platform. According to Himanshu Shekhar Upadhyay, Chief Public Relations Officer of Northern Railway, a pilot project is currently being tested to remove the “regret” status, and the initial response has been very encouraging. To meet the surging demand, the railway has already added 3,000 additional coaches to various trains, with more to be introduced depending on passenger flow.
“Special trains have also been launched to key destinations across Purvanchal, Bihar, Jharkhand, and Uttar Pradesh, and their detailed schedules are being published as they are announced,” an official said.
How To Remove Regret Status
1. Under normal circumstances, once the waiting list for a train exceeds 150 passengers, bookings are stopped, and “regret” status appears.
2. To accommodate festive season demand, the Railways has made booking rules more flexible.
3. By adding more coaches to high-demand trains, the system now allows for continued ticket bookings even when regular capacity is full.
4. This ensures that more passengers can secure travel.
5. The move is expected to significantly reduce waiting lists and enhance travel convenience for passengers heading home during the festivals.
How To Change Travel Date On Confirmed Tickets
1. Select a new travel date (in the same train).
2. Check availability for that date.
3. Confirm booking (if seats are available).
4. A new ticket will be generated without any cancellation fee.
About New Ticket Date-Change System
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has announced that from January 2026, travelers will be able to change the travel date of confirmed tickets without paying cancellation fees or extra charges. The online-only feature will be available on the IRCTC website and app, with offline implementation possibly coming later. It applies only to confirmed tickets, not waitlisted ones, and a confirmed seat on the new date will depend on availability, with any fare difference to be borne by the passenger.
About Regret Status
These changes, including the removal of “regret” status and the introduction of date-change flexibility, are part of the Railways’ broader plan to enhance passenger experience and manage festive rushes more efficiently. With millions traveling across India for Diwali and Chhath, the reforms promise smoother ticket booking, shorter waiting lists, and greater flexibility for passengers adjusting their travel plans.