Indian Railways is all set to manage the festive rush by operating more than 1,410 Holi special train trips this year. This number is significantly higher than the previous year to ensure that passengers traveling to their hometowns face fewer difficulties. The officials have also mentioned that the number of trips might go up to 1,500 depending on the waiting list situation on regular trains. The services are planned to run mainly through March 2026 to cover the peak travel period.
Which Routes and Zones Have the Maximum Trains?
The Railway Board has planned these trips carefully to cover high-demand sectors across the country. The maximum number of trains will serve passengers traveling towards East India, specifically for the festival. East Central Railway has received the highest allocation of trips to handle the heavy rush in Bihar and neighboring regions. Western and Central Railways are also running significant services for passengers moving from Mumbai and Gujarat towards the north and east.
| Railway Zone | Number of Trips |
|---|---|
| East Central Railway (ECR) | 285 Trips |
| Western Railway (WR) | 231 Trips |
| Central Railway (CR) | 209 Trips |
| South Central Railway (SCR) | 160 Trips |
| Northern Railway (NR) | 108 Trips |
Ticket Booking Rules and Travel Dates
Most of these special trains will start operating from the last week of February 2026 and will continue until the end of March. Passengers can book their tickets through the IRCTC website, mobile app, or at physical reservation counters. It is important to note that these trains typically operate on special fares, which can be slightly higher than regular train tickets. The trains will have a mix of AC, Sleeper, and General unreserved coaches to accommodate different budget segments.
Recent Updates on New Trains and Station Facilities
In the last 24 hours, new routes have been confirmed to further ease the passenger load. A new weekly superfast special between Subedarganj and Bandra Terminus has been announced starting March 2. Additionally, stations like Mumbai Central, Ahmedabad, and Surat have created special holding areas with drinking water and seating arrangements for passengers waiting for these Holi specials. Security has also been increased with more RPF staff at major stations to manage the crowd safely.
