Bihar‑bound trains hit record‑high waitlists

Seat scarcity on routes heading 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 aspirants in Second Sitting and 27 in Chair Car.

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

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

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

Delhi and Jammu corridors under strain

Booking a confirmed berth to New Delhi is equally challenging. The Ranchi‑New Delhi Rajdhani (20839) lists 161 passengers waiting for Third AC and 30 for Second AC for 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) carries a waiting list of 72 sleepers, 20 Third AC and 11 Second AC for 18 October.

Travelers heading to 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 see uneven availability

Railways have introduced special trains to absorb the festive surge, yet seat distribution remains patchy. The Ranchi‑Anand Vihar Terminal Special (02877) shows 52 sleepers and 18 Third AC waiting for 17 October, and 69 sleepers with 52 Third AC for 24 October, while Second AC is at ‘Regret’.

The Hatia‑SMVT Bengaluru Special (08637) records 46 sleeper, 20 Third AC Economy and 17 Third AC waitlisted for 21 October, with the 4 November sleeper queue at 19.

A few specials still offer relief

Despite the overall crunch, several special services retain vacant berths. The Ranchi‑Shalimar Special (08616) provides 180 open 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) remain free throughout the rest of October and the first week of November.

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

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