Extended Holi Travel Options
To facilitate the significant increase in passenger movement during the Holi festival, Central Railway has orchestrated a comprehensive plan to operate
special train services originating from Pune. These temporary services are designed to alleviate the anticipated travel congestion and ensure smoother journeys for those returning home or traveling to visit loved ones. A total of 186 special trains are being deployed across the network, with a specific allocation dedicated to routes emanating from Pune. These special services are scheduled to run between February 21 and March 10, 2026, connecting Pune to a diverse range of popular destinations including Danapur, Gorakhpur, Hazrat Nizamuddin, Ghazipur, and Nagpur. This strategic addition of trains aims to provide ample travel opportunities and cater to the heightened demand associated with the popular Indian festival.
Booking Your Journey
For passengers eager to secure their travel arrangements on these special services, booking windows have been established. Tickets for all trains departing from Pune can be reserved starting February 18. The convenience of booking is available through multiple platforms: passengers can visit any computerized reservation center, utilize the official IRCTC website, or download and use the RailOne mobile application. Furthermore, for those preferring to travel with unreserved tickets, arrangements have been made. Unreserved coaches will be available with standard fares, and bookings for these can be processed through the UTS (Unreserved Ticketing System) platform, offering flexibility for spontaneous travel plans.
Pune-Danapur Routes
Two distinct services are being offered for the Pune-Danapur route to manage the Holi travel demands effectively. The first, Train No. 01449, operates daily, commencing its journey from Pune at 3:30 pm, running from February 21 through March 8. This train is scheduled to reach Danapur at 2:45 am on the third day. Its return counterpart, Train No. 01450, departs Danapur daily at 5:00 am, from February 23 until March 10, arriving back in Pune by 6:15 pm the following day. Notable stops along this route include Daund, Ahilyanagar, Kopargaon, Manmad, Bhusaval, Itarsi, Jabalpur, Katni, Satna, Manikpur, Prayagraj Chheoki, Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction, Buxar, and Ara. Initially, these services function as Special Trains from February 21 to March 2 (totaling 16 services), transitioning to dedicated Holi Specials from March 1 to March 10 (also 16 services). Complementing this daily service is a bi-weekly option, Train No. 01481, departing Pune every Monday and Friday at 7:55 pm between February 23 and March 6, reaching Danapur at 8:00 am on the third day. The return journey, Train No. 01482, leaves Danapur every Wednesday and Sunday at 10:00 am from February 25 to March 8, arriving in Pune by 6:15 pm the next day. These bi-weekly trains operate as Special Trains from February 23 to March 1, and then as Holi Specials from March 2 to March 8.
Pune-Gorakhpur Services
For travelers heading towards Gorakhpur, a daily special train service has been arranged. Train No. 01415 departs Pune daily at 6:50 am, operating from February 21 through March 8, and is expected to arrive in Gorakhpur by 4:00 pm on the subsequent day. The return train, numbered 01416, commences its journey from Gorakhpur daily at 5:30 pm, running from February 22 until March 9. It is slated to reach Pune at 3:15 am on the third day of its travel. Key intermediate stops for this route include Daund Chord Cabin, Ahilyanagar, Kopargaon, Manmad, Bhusaval, Khandwa, Itarsi, Rani Kamlapati, Bina, Virangana Lakshmibai Jhansi, Orai, Kanpur Central, Lucknow, Gonda, and Basti. These services will function as general Special Trains from February 21 to March 1, and subsequently as dedicated Holi Specials from March 1 to March 9, ensuring continuous connectivity during the peak travel period.
Pune-Ghazipur Connections
Central Railway is also augmenting the connectivity to Ghazipur City with a bi-weekly special service. Train No. 01431 will depart from Pune every Tuesday and Friday, with services running from February 24 to March 6. The departure time from Pune is 6:40 am, and the train is scheduled to arrive in Ghazipur City at 7:05 pm on the following day. The corresponding return service, Train No. 01432, will leave Ghazipur City every Thursday and Sunday, from February 26 to March 8. This train departs Ghazipur City at 4:20 am and is expected to reach Pune by 4:20 pm on the same day it departs Ghazipur. These trains will operate initially as Special Trains from February 24 to March 1, and then transition to their role as Holi Specials from March 3 to March 8, providing ample opportunities for travel during the festive season.
Serving Hazrat Nizamuddin
A weekly special train service has been introduced to connect Pune with Hazrat Nizamuddin, catering to the increased travel demand. Train No. 01491 will depart from Pune every Friday, specifically on February 27 and March 6. The departure time from Pune is 5:30 pm, with an expected arrival at Hazrat Nizamuddin at 8:00 pm on the next day. The return journey, facilitated by Train No. 01492, will depart Hazrat Nizamuddin every Saturday, on February 28 and March 7. This train leaves Hazrat Nizamuddin at 9:25 pm and is scheduled to arrive back in Pune by 11:55 pm on the following day. Key stations where this train will halt include Lonavala, Kalyan, Bhiwandi Road, Vasai Road, Vapi, Surat, Vadodara, Ratlam, Kota, Sawai Madhopur, Bharatpur, and Mathura Junction. These services will operate as Special Trains on February 27–28, and then transition to being designated Holi Specials on March 6–7.
Nagpur Connectivity Boost
Two weekly special train services are being offered between Pune and Nagpur to manage the Holi travel rush. The first service, Train No. 01469, departs Pune every Tuesday at 3:50 pm, with operations on February 24 and March 3. It is scheduled to arrive in Nagpur at 6:30 am the next day. The return service, Train No. 01470, leaves Nagpur every Wednesday at 8:00 am, running on February 25 and March 4. This train is expected to reach Pune by 11:30 pm on the same day. Important halts along this route include Uruli, Daund Chord Line, Ahilyanagar, Belapur, Kopergaon, Manmad, Jalgaon, Bhusaval, Malkapur, Shegaon, Akola, Badnera, Dhamangaon, and Wardha. These services will operate as Special Trains on February 24-25 and as Holi Specials on March 3-4. Additionally, Train No. 01457 departs Pune every Wednesday at 3:50 pm, on February 25 and March 4, arriving in Nagpur at 6:30 am the following morning. Its return service, Train No. 01458, departs Nagpur every Thursday at 8:00 am, on February 26 and March 5, reaching Pune by 11:30 pm the same day. These specific services are designated as Special Trains from February 25–26 and as Holi Specials from March 4–5, providing more options for travelers.
