Bihar‑bound services hit record waitlists

The rush for seats to Bihar has surged dramatically. On 17 October, the Ranchi‑Patna Vande Bharat Express (train 22350) shows 57 passengers waiting for Chair Car and 11 for Executive Class. The Jan Shatabdi Express (12366) carries 84 hopefuls in Second Sitting and 27 in Chair Car.

The Hatia‑Purnia Court Express (18626) already has a 110‑person queue in Second Sitting, while its sleeper quota has turned into a ‘Regret’ status. Third AC Economy is waiting at 21, and Third AC at 43. For 18 October the sleeper waitlist rises to 64 and Third AC to 21.

The Hatia‑Islampur Express (18624) records 82 passengers on the Sleeper waitlist, 21 in Third AC Economy, 48 in Third AC and 29 in Second AC for the 17th. The Hatia‑Patna Pataliputra Express (18622) shows 80 sleepers, 30 Third AC and 12 Second AC on the waiting list.

From Sambalpur, the Maurya Express (15027) has 78 sleepers and 28 Third AC waiting, while the Rourkela‑Jaynagar Express (18105) lists 47 in Third AC and 18 in Second AC for 18 October.

Delhi and Jammu corridors under strain

Getting a confirmed berth to New Delhi is equally challenging. The Ranchi‑New Delhi Rajdhani (20839) has 161 travellers queued for Third AC and 30 for Second AC on 17 October. Another Rajdhani (12453) shows 35 in Third AC and 28 in Second AC for the 18th.

The Hatia‑Anand Vihar Terminal Express (12817) reports 72 sleepers, 20 Third AC and 11 Second AC on the waitlist for 18 October.

Passengers bound for Jammu encounter similar bottlenecks. On the Sambalpur‑Jammu Tawi Express (18309) the 17 October waitlist stands at 148 sleepers and 110 Third AC, with Second AC already marked ‘Regret’.

Festival specials feel the pressure

Railways have rolled out special trains to soak up the festive surge, yet seat availability remains patchy. The Ranchi‑Anand Vihar Terminal Special (02877) lists 52 sleepers and 18 Third AC waiting for 17 October, and 69 sleepers with 52 Third AC for 24 October; Second AC is at ‘Regret’.

The Hatia‑SMVT Bengaluru Special (08637) has 46 sleepers, 20 Third AC Economy and 17 Third AC on the 21 October waitlist, while the 4 November sleeper queue is only 19.

A few specials still provide breathing room

Despite the overall crunch, a handful of special services retain open berths. The Ranchi‑Shalimar Special (08616) offers 180 vacant sleeper seats on 21 October, with a RAC of 13 in Third AC.

The Ranchi‑Ajmer Special (09620) shows a modest sleeper waitlist of 22 for 18 October, but additional seats open on later dates. Most berths on the Ranchi‑Alipurduar Special (08661) stay free throughout the rest of October and the first week of November.

On the Hatia‑Lokmanya Tilak Terminus Special (08609), sleeper‑class waitlists hover between 16‑18 passengers for 19 and 26 October, while Third AC still has ample space.

Travel tip: With confirmed tickets in short supply during Durga Puja, double‑check availability for your preferred train and date before booking. Opting for less‑crowded special services can markedly improve your chances of securing a confirmed seat.