Widespread Special Services
To facilitate the significant increase in passenger movement expected during the vibrant Holi festival, Central Railway has thoughtfully announced the operation
of a substantial 186 special train services. These additional trains are strategically planned to cover essential routes connecting major hubs and will be available for booking starting February 18th. Passengers can secure their seats through all computerized reservation centers or conveniently via the IRCTC website. For those looking to book unreserved compartments, the UTS system remains available, and the RailOne app offers a digital alternative for ticket purchases, ensuring accessibility for all travelers planning their festive journeys.
Key Route Network
The newly announced special train services will operate on a diverse range of routes to cater to the high demand. These include services originating from Mumbai and Pune, heading towards destinations like Nagpur, Sawantwadi Road, Banaras, Gorakhpur, Samastipur, and Danapur. Specifically, there will be 94 dedicated Holi special trains and an additional 92 special trains, totaling 186 services designed to manage the extra passenger influx. The extensive network aims to provide ample connectivity and travel options for individuals wishing to celebrate the festival with loved ones across different regions.
Pune's Connectivity Boost
Pune station will serve as a crucial point for several special train services designed to alleviate travel congestion. A weekly special train will run between Pune and Hazrat Nizamuddin, operating for 4 services and stopping at key stations including Lonavala, Kalyan, Bhiwandi Road, Vasai Road, Vapi, Surat, Vadodara, Godhra, Ratlam, Shamgarh, Bhawani Mandi, Ramganj Mandi, Kota, Sawai Madhopur, Gangapur City, Bharatpur, and Mathura Junction. Additionally, Pune will see daily specials to Gorakhpur for 32 services, with halts at Daund Chord Cabin, Ahilyanagar, Kopargaon, Manmad, Bhusaval, Khandwa, Itarsi, Rani Kamlapati, Bina, Virangana Lakshmibai Jhansi, Orai, Kanpur Central, Lucknow, Gonda, and Basti. Another daily service will connect Pune to Danapur for 32 services, making stops at Daund Chord Cabin, Ahilyanagar, Kopargaon, Manmad, Bhusaval, Itarsi, Jabalpur, Katni, Satna, Manikpur, Prayagraj Chheoki, Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Jn, Buxar, and Ara. Furthermore, Pune to Nagpur will benefit from a weekly AC special for 4 services and a regular weekly special for 4 services, both including stops at Uruli, Daund Chord Line, Ahilyanagar, Belapur, Kopergaon, Manmad, Jalgaon, Bhusaval, Malkapur, Shegaon, Akola, Badnera, Dhamangaon, and Wardha.
Mumbai's Extensive Reach
Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) and Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (LTT) will be central to numerous special train operations facilitating Holi travel. LTT will operate a bi-weekly special service to Banaras for 8 services, making stops at Thane, Kalyan, Igatpuri, Nashik Road, Jalgaon, Bhusaval, Khandwa, Itarsi, Rani Kamlapati Jn, Bina, Virangana Lakshmibai Jhansi, Orai, Govindpuri, Fatehpur, and Subedarganj, with the specific Varanasi Jn halt for train 01073. CSMT will provide bi-weekly specials to Nagpur for 10 services, stopping at Dadar, Thane, Kalyan, Nashik Road, Manmad, Jalgaon, Bhusaval, Malkapur, Shegaon, Akola, Murtizapur, Badnera, Dhamangaon, and Wardha. Another weekly special from CSMT will head to Sawantwadi Road for 4 services, including important stations like Dadar, Thane, Panvel, Pen, Roha, Mangaon, Veer, Khed, Chiplun, Sawarda, Arawali Road, Sangameshwar Road, Ratnagiri, Adavali, Vilavade, Rajapur Road, Vaibhavwadi Road, Nandgaon Road, Kankavali, Sindhudurg, and Kudal. Additionally, CSMT Mumbai will run daily specials to Gorakhpur for 32 services, with stops at Dadar, Thane, Kalyan, Nashik Road, Manmad, Jalgaon, Bhusaval, Khandwa, Itarsi, Bhopal, Bina, Virangana Lakshmibai Jhansi, Orai, Kanpur Central, Lucknow, Gonda, Basti, and Khalilabad. LTT will also offer a weekly AC special to Samastipur for 4 services, with stops at Thane, Kalyan, Igatpuri, Nashik Road, Jalgaon, Bhusaval, Khandwa, Itarsi, Jabalpur, Satna, Manikpur, Prayagraj Cheokki, Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyay, Baxur, Ara, Danapur, Patliputra, Sonpur, Hajipur, and Muzzafarpur.
