Massive Train Augmentation
To accommodate the significant increase in passenger traffic anticipated for Holi in 2026, Indian Railways has undertaken an extensive operational enhancement
by scheduling more than 1,410 special train services. This number is further projected to reach approximately 1,500, underscoring the scale of the railway's commitment to facilitating festive travel. These specially arranged trains are designed to meet the heightened demand and guarantee efficient connectivity between key urban centers and rural destinations throughout the month of March. This year's deployment significantly surpasses the 1,144 special train trips that were operated for Holi in 2025, indicating a proactive expansion of services to cater to a growing passenger base and ensure a more comfortable festive season for travelers nationwide.
Zone-Wise Train Distribution
The operational plan for Holi special trains in 2026 reveals a varied distribution across different railway zones, reflecting regional travel demands. The East Central Railway (ECR) is set to operate the largest contingent with 285 special services, followed closely by Western Railway (WR) which will run 231 trains. Central Railway (CR) is also contributing substantially with 209 services, while Northern Railway (NR) has planned 108 special trains. Further down the list, North Western Railway (NWR) will operate 71 trains, and North Central Railway (NCR) will manage 66 services. Both North Eastern Railway (NER) and East Coast Railway (ECOR) are deploying an equal number of 62 trains each. South Western Railway (SWR) has scheduled 47 special services, and West Central Railway (WCR) will operate 43 trains. Southern Railway (SR) is contributing 39 trains, and South East Central Railway (SECR) will run 15 services. Smaller operations include Konkan Railway (KR) with nine trains and Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) with two services, totaling 1,249 special trains detailed in the comprehensive plan.
East Central Railway's Special Services
The East Central Railway (ECR) is operating several key special trains to manage the Holi rush. Notably, train numbers 09821/09822 will run as a Sogaria (Kota)-Danapur-Sogaria special, traversing through Katni and Prayagraj Chhivki. The 09821 special departs Sogaria on February 28 and March 7, 2026, at 23:10 hrs, reaching Danapur at 23:45 hrs the next day after a stop at DDU. Its return service, 09822, departs Danapur on March 2 and March 9, 2026, at 01:15 hrs, arriving at Sogaria by 01:10 hrs. Additionally, train numbers 01667/01668, the Rani Kamalapati-Danapur-Rani Kamalapati special, will operate via Itarsi and Jabalpur. The 01667 service leaves Rani Kamalapati on February 27 and March 2, 2026, at 14:25 hrs, reaching Danapur at 08:45 hrs. The return journey, 01668, departs Danapur on February 28 and March 3, 2026, at 11:15 hrs. The ECR is also deploying train numbers 01665/01666, a Rani Kamalapati-Agartala-Rani Kamalapati special, that runs via DDU, Danapur, and Barauni. This train departs Rani Kamalapati every Thursday from March 5, 2026, at 15:20 hrs, and its return service from Agartala starts every Sunday from March 8, 2026, at 17:20 hrs. Furthermore, train numbers 09525/09526 will connect Hapa and Naharlagun, passing through Varanasi and Chhapra, with departures from Hapa every Wednesday starting March 4, 2026, and from Naharlagun every Saturday starting March 7, 2026.
North Western Railway's Extensions
The North Western Railway (NWR) is extending the operational periods of several of its weekly special train services to better cater to the Holi travel season. Train number 04715/04716, operating between Bikaner and Sainagar Shirdi, will see its service extended from Bikaner starting March 7, 2026, through March 28, 2026, covering four trips, and from Sainagar Shirdi from March 8 to March 29, 2026, also for four trips. Similarly, the Hisar-Khadki-Hisar weekly special (04725/04726) will run from Hisar between March 1 and March 29, 2026, for five trips, and from Khadki between March 2 and March 30, 2026, for five trips. The Hisar-Valsad-Hisar special (04727/04728) will operate from Hisar from March 4 to March 25, 2026, with four trips, and from Valsad from March 5 to March 26, 2026, also for four trips. For travelers heading to Bandra Terminus, the Bhagat Ki Kothi-Bandra Terminus-Bhagat Ki Kothi special (04827/04828) will run from Bhagat Ki Kothi from March 7 to March 28, 2026 (four trips) and from Bandra Terminus from March 8 to March 29, 2026 (four trips). Lastly, the Ajmer-Bandra Terminus-Ajmer special (09621/09622) has its service extended from Ajmer from March 1 to March 29, 2026 (five trips), and from Bandra Terminus from March 2 to March 30, 2026 (five trips). The Ajmer-Daund-Ajmer special (09625/09626) will operate from Ajmer between March 5 and March 26, 2026 (four trips), and from Daund between March 6 and March 27, 2026 (four trips). The Ajmer-Solapur-Ajmer special (09627/09628) will run from Ajmer from March 4 to March 25, 2026 (four trips), and from Solapur from March 5 to March 26, 2026 (four trips).
