As Holi 2026 approaches, millions of passengers across India are gearing up to travel to their hometowns for the vibrant festival celebrations. Anticipating one of the year’s heaviest travel periods, Central Railway has rolled out 186 special train services to ease congestion, enhance seat availability, and minimize waiting lists on high-demand routes.
These additional trains primarily link major hubs such as Mumbai, Pune, and Ahmedabad with key destinations, including several in Bihar like Patna, Danapur, Samastipur, and Darbhanga, along with other popular spots such as Nagpur, Sawantwadi Road, Banaras (Varanasi), Gorakhpur, and Hazrat Nizamuddin.
Of the total 186 services, 94 are designated as Holi Special trains, while the remaining 92 operate as other special services. The initiative includes a mix of bi-weekly, weekly, and daily operations, with staggered departures, overnight journeys, and halts at important junctions to accommodate both long-distance and shorter-route travelers.
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Among the highlighted services:
- Multiple Pune–Danapur specials, including bi-weekly trains (e.g., Train No. 01481 departing Pune at 7:55 PM on Mondays and Fridays from February 23 to March 6, arriving Danapur at 8:00 AM) and daily runs (e.g., Train No. 01449 from Pune at 3:30 PM between February 21 and March 8).
- Return services from Danapur to Pune follow similar patterns, with stops at stations like Ara, Buxar, and Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction (DDU).
- Ahmedabad-originating trains include services to Patna (Train 09447, weekly on Wednesdays until March 25) and Darbhanga (Train 09465, weekly on Fridays until March 27), with corresponding return trips.
- From Mumbai (Lokmanya Tilak Terminus), specials to Samastipur (e.g., Train 01043 on February 24 and March 3, departing at 12:15 AM) feature key stops including Patliputra and Hajipur.
Additional routes cover connections from Pune and Mumbai to Nagpur, and other Bihar-bound paths, ensuring broader coverage for passengers heading to eastern and northern regions.
Bookings for these trains commenced on February 18, 2026, and are available via the official IRCTC website, the RailOne app, authorized counters, or the UTS system for unreserved travel on select short-distance options.
Central Railway’s move reflects a proactive effort to handle the seasonal surge, where Holi traditionally triggers massive homeward journeys from urban centers. Passengers are advised to check availability promptly and book early to secure confirmed seats for a hassle-free trip home.
