Railways to run 22 festival-special trains to and from Karnataka: Here's full list

Agencies

October 15, 2020

Bengaluru, Oct 15: The South Western Railway (SWR) zone will operate 22 special trains to and from Karnataka from October 23 to 27 ahead of the upcoming festivals like Dasara, Diwali and Chhath puja, an official said on Wednesday. "The 22 special trains or 11 pairs are part of the 392 (196 pairs) train that will run across the country from October 20 to December 3 for Dasara, Diwali and Chhath Puja festivals to enable people to travel to their native places or where they want to celebrate with families and friends," a zonal official told media.

With regular service suspended since the COVID-19 induced lockdown on March 25 to contain the virus spread, thousands of people have been unable to travel in the absence of passenger trains across the country.

"Travel by all festival trains will be on the reservation system. Hand sanitisation, thermal screening, physical distancing, wearing face shield or masks and other health protocol will have to be followed," said the official in a statement.

List of special trains

> Weekly superfast express from Yesvantpur in Bengaluru to Korba in Chhattisgarh from October 23 to November 27 on Friday and from Korba to Yesvantpur from October 25 to November 29 on Sunday.

> Bi-weekly express from Mysuru to Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh from October 20 to November 26 on Tuesday and Thursday and from Varanasi to Mysuru from October 22 to November 28 on Thursday and Saturday.

> Weekly express from Yesvantpur to Ahmedabad in Gujarat from October 25 to November 29 on Sunday and from Ahmedabad to Yesvantpur from October 27 to December 1 on Tuesday.

> Weekly express from Bengaluru City to Gandhidham in Gujarat from October 24 to November 28 on Saturday and from Gandhidham to Bengaluru City from October 27 to December 1 on Tuesday.

> Daily express from Hubballi to Lokmanya Tilak terminus in Mumbai from October 22 to November 30 and from Mumbai to Hubballi from October 23 to December 1.

> Daily express from Dharwad to Mysuru from October 20 to November 30 and from Mysuru to Dharwad from October 21 to December 1.

> Weekly superfast express from Vasco-Da-Gama in Goa to Patna in Bihar from October 21 to November 25 on Wednesday and from Patna to Vasco from October 24 to December 3 on Saturday.

> Bi-weekly express from Bengaluru city to Jodhpur in Rajasthan from October 24 to December 3 on Thursday and Saturday and from Jodhpur to Bengaluru from October 21 to November 30 on Monday and Wednesday.

> Daily express from Hubballi to Secunderabad from October 20 to November 30 and from Secunderabad to Hubballi from October 21 to December 1.

> Bi-weekly express from Mysuru to Ajmer in Rajasthan from October 20 to November 26 on Tuesday and Thursday and from Ajmer to Mysuru from October 23 to November 29 on Friday and Sunday

> Weekly express from Hubballi to Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh from October 23 to November 27 on Friday and from Varanasi to Hubballi from October 25 to November 29 on Sunday.

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Respiratory illnesses rise in Karnataka’s capital as air quality deteriorates

News Network

February 5,2026

Bengaluru: As air quality continues to worsen across several parts of the city, hospitals in Bengaluru are reporting a steady rise in patients suffering from respiratory illnesses such as asthma, bronchitis and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), health officials and doctors said.

Data from the Suvarna Arogya Suraksha Trust (SAST) shows that 3,891 patients received treatment for respiratory ailments between April and November 2024. The figure rose to 4,187 during the same period in 2025.

Private hospitals, too, are witnessing a 10–15 per cent year-on-year increase in such cases.

While doctors caution that the rise cannot be attributed solely to air pollution, a significant number of patients are non-smokers with no prior history of respiratory disease.

“Nearly 70 per cent of the patients we see are non-smokers with no previous respiratory issues. When other causes are ruled out, air pollution emerges as the most likely factor,” said Dr Manjunath PH, consultant interventional pulmonologist at a hospital in Kengeri.

Doctors noted that patient footfall spikes during the winter months and around Deepavali, when air quality typically worsens.

“There is a clear correlation between poor air quality and the rise in cases. People commonly present with persistent cough, breathlessness and irritation of the respiratory tract, indicating the impact of polluted air on their health,” said Dr Sheetal Chaurasia, consultant in pulmonary medicine at a private hospital in Whitefield.

Dr Chaurasia added that respiratory tract infections are also on the rise.

“Poor air quality leads to chronic airway inflammation, making the airways more vulnerable to infections. We are seeing an increase in both upper and lower respiratory tract infections,” she said.

Patients with pre-existing respiratory conditions remain the worst affected.

“For those already diagnosed with respiratory illnesses, deteriorating air quality significantly worsens the condition. Both the frequency and severity of attacks increase sharply,” said Dr Vandana P, a pulmonologist at a hospital on Bannerghatta Road.

Doctors also flagged a worrying trend of rising respiratory problems among younger adults and children.

To reduce exposure, they advised people to wear masks while travelling on two-wheelers or autos and ensure adequate ventilation at home to minimise indoor air pollution.

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