After Diwali, the rush for train tickets has peaked in the city for Chhath.

Senior public relation officer of Ranchi railway division Suhas Lohkare said a special train for Bihar would be operated on November 10 to handle the Chhath rush.

“The train will run between Ranchi and Patna. On November 10, the train with 15 bogies will start from Ranchi at 11.55pm to reach Patna the next day at 9.30am. On November 11, the same train will start from Patna at 10.30am and reach Ranchi at 7.30pm,” Lohkare said.

On Thursday afternoon, Bihar-bound trains were spilling over with passengers, most of whom were heard discussing plans to celebrate Chhath that begins with Nahai-Khai on November 11 and ends with offering an arghya to the rising sun on November 14.

“I prefer celebrating Chhath in the village rather than the city. Today (Thursday), I sent by family by train. I will go on November 10,” a bank employee Santosh Mishra was heard telling over phone after Ranchi-Patna Jan Shatabdi left the station.

Several passengers, whose seats could not be confirmed, were requesting the TTE (travelling ticket examiner) for seats.

“Manage at least one seat for me. I have to reach Patna tonight to catch a bus for Darbhanga on Friday morning. I have to prepare for Chhath at my house,” one Manoj Singh was pleading with a TTE of Ranchi-Patna Jan Shatabdi before it left.

The TTE said all seats had been booked five days ago.

“You will have to make other arrangements,” he said.

Dhurwa resident Manoj Kumar said he had been running from pillar to post for an AC ticket , but to no avail.

“I have limited leave and could not plan my trip earlier. I booked a ticket for Hatia-Patna Express for days ago for journey on Friday. I am still on the waiting list. I even attempted to do a Tatkal booking today, but did not get a berth,” Kumar said.

Arun Kumar Mishra , a civil contractor from Gandhinagar, said he hired a car after failing to get a confirmed ticket.

“A car is a costlier option. I have to pay Rs 12 per km, but still I booked it because I have to go to Sitamarhi as my family members from different parts of the country will be there to celebrate Chhath,” Mishra said.

Confirming the rush, a Ranchi railway official all the six trains originating from Ranchi and Hatia for Patna were full.

“There is long waiting list for all trains. People are now depending on tatkal tickets that have to be booked 24 hours before the departure of any train,” the railway official said.