Hundreds of Special Trains Deployed
To handle the massive surge in passenger traffic, Indian Railways has announced a significant number of special train services. For the upcoming Jagannath Rath Yatra in Puri, which begins on July 16, over 300 special trains are being planned. Additionally,
more than 100 special trains will be operated for the Onam festival in Kerala next month. These services are designed to connect major cities with festival hubs, helping thousands of devotees and families travel home. This is part of a broader strategy that also saw a massive rollout for the summer season, with over 18,000 special trips planned between April and July 2026.
More Berths Through Extra Coaches
Beyond adding new train services, the Railways is also augmenting the capacity of existing high-demand trains. The East Coast Railway, for instance, has announced the temporary addition of extra coaches to several popular trains throughout July. This includes adding AC Three-Tier coaches to services like the Bhubaneswar-KSR Bengaluru Prashanti Express and the Bhubaneswar-Anand Vihar Terminal Odisha Sampark Kranti Express. Other trains, such as the Sambalpur-Rayagada Express and Puri-Gunupur Express, will receive additional AC Chair Car coaches, while some services will get extra Sleeper Class and General Second Class coaches to accommodate more passengers. This strategy of augmenting existing rakes is a proven method for creating thousands of additional berths on the busiest routes.
Managing the Rush at Stations
A major part of managing holiday travel is controlling the crowds at major railway stations. To prevent chaos, Indian Railways is implementing several crowd-control measures. These include setting up temporary holding areas where passengers can wait in an organised manner before their train's departure. At key stations like those in the Delhi area and Puri, authorities are deploying additional Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel to guide passengers, manage queues, and ensure safety. The sale of platform tickets is often suspended during peak rush hours to limit entry to only confirmed passengers. Mini control rooms with CCTV surveillance are set up to monitor crowd movement in real-time, allowing for swift intervention if needed.
How to Book and Plan Your Travel
Booking tickets for these special services requires some planning. All tickets for special trains can be booked through the official IRCTC website or the 'IRCTC Rail Connect' mobile app; ticket counters at stations do not handle these bookings. It's advisable to book as early as possible, as bookings for many trains open 60 days in advance. For last-minute plans, the Tatkal quota may be an option, but it is not available on all special trains. Passengers should regularly check the IRCTC portal and railway announcements for the latest information on new special trains and augmented coach availability. Using features like live PNR status tracking can also help you monitor your chances if you have a waitlisted ticket.
A Continuous Effort for Passenger Comfort
These holiday measures are part of a continuous, data-driven approach by Indian Railways to improve passenger experience during peak seasons. The administration analyzes past travel patterns and ticket sales data to anticipate passenger flow and prepare in advance. The successful management of the recent Holi festival rush, where millions were transported via special arrangements, serves as a template for these operations. By consistently adding new trains, augmenting coaches, and improving station infrastructure, the national transporter aims to make festival and holiday travel a less stressful experience for everyone. Over the past five years, the network has added over 1,000 new trains and thousands of coaches to permanently boost capacity.
