As the festive season approaches, Indian Railways has announced 62 special trains to accommodate increased passenger demand during Holi and the subsequent long weekend. These trains will operate on multiple routes to ensure smooth and timely travel.
Special Arrangements for Holi Travel
Holi, one of India’s most widely celebrated festivals, falls on March 13 and 14 this year. With a long weekend following on March 15 and 16, there is an expected surge in travel across the country. To manage the high passenger traffic, Indian Railways has introduced several special train services on key routes.
List of Key Special Trains
Here are some major special train services being introduced for the Holi season:
North Western Railway Special Trains
- Sabarmati-Haridwar-Sabarmati Bi-weekly Superfast Special (Train No. 09425/09426)
- Runs from March 9 to March 30 (7 trips each way).
- Departure from Sabarmati every Thursday and Sunday at 17:20 hrs.
- Return journey from Haridwar every Friday and Monday at 21:00 hrs.
- Stops at Jaipur, Ajmer, Abu Road, and other key stations.
- Hisar-Hadapsar (Pune)-Hisar Weekly Superfast Special (Train No. 04725/04726)
- Runs from March 9 to March 30 (4 trips each way).
- Departs Hisar every Sunday at 05:50 hrs and reaches Pune the next day.
- Return trip from Hadapsar (Pune) every Monday at 17:00 hrs.
Other Important Special Trains
- Delhi Sarai-Sabarmati Reserved Superfast Special (Train No. 04416) – One-way journey on March 9.
- Mumbai Central-Delhi Bi-weekly Superfast Special (Train No. 09003/09004) – Runs from March 7 to March 28.
- Bareilly-Sabarmati Reserved Superfast Special (Train No. 04382) – Departs from Bareilly on March 8.
- Bhagat Ki Kothi-Bandra Terminus Special (Train No. 04827/04828) – Runs every Saturday and Sunday between March 8 and March 30.
- Lalkuan-Rajkot Weekly Special (Train No. 05045/05046) – Runs from March 9 to April 27.
- Durg-Madar (Ajmer)-Durg Special (Train No. 08765/08766) – One-time journey on March 9 and March 10.
Why These Special Trains Are Important
- Increased Passenger Demand – Holi sees a massive increase in travelers heading home or visiting family.
- Reduced Travel Congestion – These trains help manage rush hour traffic at major railway stations.
- Timely and Efficient Travel – Ensures passengers reach their destinations without delays.
How to Book Tickets
Passengers can book tickets for these special trains through:
- IRCTC Website (www.irctc.co.in)
- Railway Ticket Counters
- Authorized Travel Agents
With these additional trains, Indian Railways aims to provide a seamless travel experience for Holi celebrations. Travelers are advised to book their tickets in advance to avoid last-minute hassles.
