Indian Railways to run over 1,400 Holi special trains in March: Check details

Indian Railways plans a record 1,400+ Holi special trains in March to ease festive travel rush and improve connectivity across major routes. (File photo)

• Indian Railways to run over 1,410 Holi Special Trains in March
• East Central Railway leads with 285 Holi specials
• Tickets available via IRCTC and station counters; early booking recommended

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Indian Railways has announced the operation of a record number of Holi Special Trains this year to ensure smooth, comfortable and hassle-free travel for passengers during the festive season. With Holi witnessing one of the highest seasonal travel spikes in the country, the Ministry of Railways has planned over 1,410 special train services, a number that is expected to go up to 1,500 trains in the coming weeks.

These Holi special trains will primarily operate throughout March, strengthening connectivity between major cities and high-demand routes and helping passengers reach their hometowns in time to celebrate the festival with family and friends.

Highest Ever Number of Holi Special Trains

According to official data, this year’s deployment marks a significant increase compared to last year. For Holi 2025, Indian Railways had operated 1,144 special train trips, while the 2026 festive season will see the highest-ever number of Holi specials.

The special trains will include a mix of AC-only services, trains with a combination of AC, Sleeper and General coaches, as well as unreserved special trains, catering to passengers across income groups.

Zone-wise Deployment: East Central Railway Leads

Among all railway zones, the East Central Railway (ECR) will operate the highest number of Holi special trains, reflecting heavy passenger demand on eastern routes.

• Zone-wise breakdown of Holi Special Trains:
• East Central Railway (ECR): 285 trains
• Western Railway (WR): 231 trains
• Central Railway (CR): 209 trains
• South Central Railway (SCR): 160 trains
• Northern Railway (NR): 108 trains
• North Western Railway (NWR): 71 trains
• North Central Railway (NCR): 66 trains
• North Eastern Railway (NER): 62 trains
• East Coast Railway (ECOR): 62 trains
• South Western Railway (SWR): 47 trains
• West Central Railway (WCR): 43 trains
• Southern Railway (SR): 39 trains
• South East Central Railway (SECR): 15 trains
• Konkan Railway (KR): 9 trains
• Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR): 2 trains

Other zones will also operate additional services to strengthen regional and inter-zonal connectivity during the peak travel period.

Central Railway to Run 209 Holi Special Trains

The Central Railway (CR) alone will operate 209 Holi special trains to facilitate travel across key routes. These services will connect major destinations such as:

Mumbai – Nagpur – Mumbai

Mumbai – Ratnagiri – Mumbai

Mumbai – Chiplun – Mumbai

Several other high-demand routes across the country.

To manage the festive rush, Central Railway has also enhanced passenger facilities, including the deployment of additional ticket counters at major stations and improved crowd management measures.

Passenger Facilities and Travel Planning

Indian Railways said these special trains will help passengers plan their journeys better and reduce congestion on regular services. Measures have been taken to ensure passenger comfort, including adequate staffing, crowd control arrangements and better station-level facilities.

Detailed schedules, halts and timings of the Holi Special Trains are expected to be announced shortly, and passengers are advised to regularly check the official Indian Railways website or IRCTC portal for updates.

What Passengers Should Know

• Holi Special Trains will mainly operate in March.
• Tickets will be available through IRCTC and station booking counters.
• Early booking is advised due to heavy festive demand.
• More special trains may be added based on passenger response.

With the operation of over 1,400 special services, Indian Railways aims to ensure a safe, smooth and stress-free travel experience for millions of passengers heading home for Holi celebrations across India.