UP Roadways to Run 300 Extra Buses for Diwali and Chhath 2026: Check Routes, Depots and Travel Details
UP Roadways Diwali Special Buses 2026: Passengers planning to travel home during Diwali and Chhath Puja have received some welcome news. The Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC) has announced plans to increase bus services on several important routes to accommodate the expected festive rush.
According to the announcement, 300 additional buses will be deployed from seven depots in the Ghaziabad region starting November 5, 2026. The special arrangements are intended to make travelling easier for passengers heading towards destinations such as Lucknow, Bareilly, Badaun, Hardoi, Kanpur, Aligarh, Azamgarh and other cities.
The additional services will primarily operate from Anand Vihar and Kaushambi bus terminals, with departures adjusted according to passenger demand.
The transport department is also making special arrangements for passenger assistance, round-the-clock monitoring and improved facilities at major boarding points.
UP Roadways Special Bus Services to Begin From November 5
Every year, thousands of passengers travel from Delhi-NCR to their hometowns in Uttar Pradesh during major festivals.
The demand for buses generally increases significantly around Diwali and Chhath Puja, particularly on routes connecting Delhi, Ghaziabad and eastern Uttar Pradesh.
To manage this seasonal increase, UPSRTC has prepared a special operating plan involving 300 buses from the Ghaziabad region.
Regional Manager K.N. Chaudhary said the additional services are scheduled to begin on November 5.
The buses will operate from seven depots under the Ghaziabad region, helping passengers travel to various districts without facing excessive waiting times.
The corporation plans to increase the frequency of services on routes where passenger demand is particularly high.
Diwali and Chhath Special Buses: Check the Major Routes
The additional bus operations will cover several important destinations across Uttar Pradesh.
Passengers travelling from Delhi-NCR can expect increased services on the following routes:
| Route or destination | Special bus arrangement |
|---|---|
| Delhi–Lucknow | Additional services planned |
| Delhi–Bareilly | Increased bus frequency |
| Delhi–Hardoi | Extra services planned |
| Delhi–Azamgarh | Additional departures |
| Delhi–Sonauli | Extra services planned |
| Delhi–Badaun | 70 buses allocated |
| Delhi–Mainpuri | Additional services planned |
| Delhi–Kanpur | Increased bus operations |
| Delhi–Etah–Aligarh | Additional services planned |
The Badaun route will receive the highest allocation, with 70 buses planned to accommodate the expected passenger demand.
Services to other destinations will be managed according to travel requirements and passenger volume.
Passengers should confirm the latest departure schedules before reaching the bus terminal, as additional services may be adjusted depending on demand.
243 Ordinary Buses, 55 Janrath Buses and Two Premium Buses
UPSRTC has also announced the category-wise distribution of the 300 buses planned for festive operations.
| Bus category | Number of buses |
|---|---|
| Ordinary buses | 243 |
| Janrath and AC Shatabdi category | 55 |
| High-end buses | 2 |
| Total | 300 |
The availability of different bus categories will allow passengers to choose services according to their travel preferences and budget.
Ordinary buses are expected to accommodate a large share of travellers, while air-conditioned and premium services will provide additional options on selected routes.
However, the availability of a particular category will depend on the destination, departure point and operating schedule.
Anand Vihar and Kaushambi Bus Terminals to Handle Festive Rush
Two important boarding locations for passengers travelling from Delhi-NCR are Anand Vihar and Kaushambi.
During the festive season, these terminals experience increased footfall as people travel to their hometowns.
Under the special arrangement, buses will depart from these locations according to passenger demand.
The transport corporation intends to reduce overcrowding and improve the availability of buses during busy travel periods.
Passengers travelling towards western, central and eastern Uttar Pradesh are expected to benefit from the additional operations.
The corporation will also deploy staff to monitor passenger movement and coordinate bus departures.
Additional Boarding Assistance at Three Important Locations
Apart from the main bus terminals, UPSRTC will make special arrangements at selected locations frequently used by passengers in the Ghaziabad and Noida areas.
These include:
-
Lal Kuan
-
Mohan Nagar Crossing
-
Sector 62, Noida
Transport department employees will be deployed at these locations to help coordinate bus operations and assist passengers.
The arrangements are intended to make boarding more convenient and reduce confusion during periods of heavy passenger movement.
Travellers should check whether their required bus service is scheduled to stop at these locations before planning their journey.
Temporary Passenger Help Desk at Kaushambi Bus Depot
To provide additional assistance during the festival rush, UPSRTC will establish a temporary passenger help desk at Kaushambi bus depot.
The help desk will operate through three shifts, with six employees assigned to provide passenger support.
The staff will assist travellers with information about bus routes, departure schedules, destinations and service availability.
This facility is expected to be particularly useful for passengers who are unfamiliar with the bus terminal or travelling on a specific route for the first time.
Special attention will also be given to senior citizens, women and passengers with disabilities who may require additional assistance.
The help desk will help travellers identify the correct bus and obtain relevant travel information without unnecessary delays.
Round-the-Clock Monitoring of Special Bus Operations
The transport corporation has planned 24-hour staff deployment to supervise the festive bus operations.
Officials and employees will monitor services, coordinate departures and respond to operational requirements.
Continuous monitoring is expected to help the corporation adjust services according to passenger demand.
If a particular route experiences unusually heavy traffic, additional departures may be arranged depending on bus and staff availability.
The objective is to maintain smoother operations during one of the busiest travel periods of the year.
Devotional Songs and Folk Music During Festival Journeys
UPSRTC is also planning to create a festive atmosphere for passengers travelling during Diwali and Chhath Puja.
According to the report, devotional songs and traditional folk music will be played on buses during the festival period.
Special preference will be given to music associated with Diwali and Chhath celebrations.
The initiative is intended to make long-distance journeys more pleasant and allow passengers to experience the festive spirit while travelling.
For many passengers returning home to celebrate with family members, the music could add a traditional touch to the journey.
How to Check UP Roadways Bus Timings and Availability
Passengers planning to use the additional services should check the latest travel information before leaving home.
They can visit the official UPSRTC website at https://www.upsrtc.up.gov.in/ for available service information.
Travellers may also enquire at Anand Vihar, Kaushambi or the relevant UPSRTC bus depot.
The temporary help desk at Kaushambi is expected to provide assistance with route information and departure details during the festival period.
Passengers should confirm their boarding location, bus category, fare and departure time before travelling.
Those planning journeys on heavily used routes should consider reaching the bus terminal with sufficient time, particularly during peak festive travel hours.
Conclusion
The decision to deploy 300 additional buses from the Ghaziabad region is expected to provide significant relief to passengers travelling across Uttar Pradesh during Diwali and Chhath Puja 2026.
The special services, scheduled to begin on November 5, will connect Delhi-NCR with several major destinations, including Lucknow, Bareilly, Badaun, Hardoi, Azamgarh, Kanpur, Mainpuri and Aligarh.
With 243 ordinary buses, 55 Janrath and AC Shatabdi-category buses, and two premium buses, UPSRTC aims to accommodate different passenger requirements.
Additional staff deployment, temporary assistance facilities and round-the-clock monitoring are also planned to improve travel arrangements.
Passengers are advised to verify the latest bus schedules and boarding details through official UPSRTC channels before starting their journeys.
Disclaimer: The bus deployment plan, routes and operational arrangements are based on the supplied report. Actual departures, fares, bus availability and boarding locations may change depending on operational requirements. Travellers should confirm details with UPSRTC before their journey.