Festival Travel Gridlock
The celebratory mood for Holi, marked by Holika Dahan on March 3 and the main festival on March 4, has resulted in a significant travel rush across northern
and eastern India. For those who can afford it, airfare has surged dramatically, with some tickets exceeding Rs 20,000. However, for the majority of migrant workers and individuals relying on more economical transport, trains have always been the primary lifeline for long-distance travel, particularly to the Gangetic plain. This year, the demand has far outstripped supply, leaving many stranded. Premium train services, such as the Rajdhani and Duronto Express, which operate on dynamic pricing similar to airlines, are showing 'REGRET' status, indicating no seats are available and even waitlists are closed. Standard mail, express, and superfast trains, which have fixed fares, saw their tickets climb to triple-digit waiting lists on the very first day of booking, which opened 60 days prior. Even the special trains introduced by Indian Railways specifically to alleviate the Holi travel pressure are experiencing extensive waitlists, especially on high-demand routes connecting major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru to states such as Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, and West Bengal.
Premium Trains Full
The situation is particularly dire for premium train services like the Rajdhani, Duronto, and even the modern Vande Bharat expresses. These trains are highly sought after due to their reputation for punctuality and superior amenities. Across numerous routes, Rajdhani services are displaying a 'REGRET' status for all classes, including 1AC, 2AC, and 3AC. This designation signifies that not only are all seats taken, but the waitlist has also been closed, leaving no hope for further bookings. Other Superfast and Express trains are experiencing waitlists stretching into triple digits for 2AC, 3AC, and Sleeper classes. Similar trends are observed for Duronto, Tejas, and Rajdhani services in the days leading up to the Holi holidays. Even the Vande Bharat expresses on critical northern routes are heavily waitlisted. Despite dynamic pricing mechanisms that increase fares in response to demand, travelers are still willing to pay, underscoring the urgency to reach home for the festival. For instance, a 3AC ticket on the bi-weekly Dibrugarh Rajdhani from New Delhi to Siliguri is priced at Rs 3,430 with a waiting list of approximately 113, while a 2AC ticket costs Rs 4,635 with a waitlist of 37. The New Delhi-Patna Tejas Rajdhani's 3AC ticket is Rs 2,545 but carries a substantial waitlist of 231, with 1AC reaching Rs 4,260. The Sealdah Rajdhani from New Delhi to Kolkata has a 3AC ticket at Rs 3,125 and a waiting list touching 100, while 2AC is Rs 4,260 with a waitlist of around 40, and 1AC is completely unavailable ('REGRET'). A 3AC seat on the Bengaluru-Kolkata Duronto Express is priced at Rs 4005 with a waitlist exceeding 60, and 1AC tickets are priced as high as Rs 7,000, comparable to flight fares. Even Vande Bharat Express tickets from New Delhi to Ayodhya are experiencing significant waitlists, with fares around Rs 2,700.
Buses as Last Resort
With train tickets proving elusive, buses have become the final option for thousands of travelers. Bus agents at New Delhi's Anand Vihar Interstate Bus Terminus (ISBT) are charging exorbitant amounts, ranging from Rs 3,000 to Rs 4,000 for a single seat. One individual shared his predicament, having to secure a bus ticket for Rs 3,000 to Darbhanga, a city approximately 120 km from his hometown in Bihar's Khagaria district, a journey that will span a grueling 30 hours. He noted that this arduous bus ride feels more reliable than holding a waitlisted train ticket. He booked the ticket without even seeing the bus, relying solely on the agents' word and the hope of reaching home. The bus itself was not present at the time of booking; only agents were issuing tickets to those desperate to travel. This situation highlights the immense pressure on India's transportation network during major festivals like Holi, Diwali, and Chhath, when millions of migrant workers and professionals travel back to their native places, particularly in the northern and eastern parts of the country.
Special Trains Inadequate
In an effort to manage the overwhelming demand, Indian Railways has deployed numerous special trains. The Northern Railway alone has planned around 300 special services originating from Delhi-NCR and heading towards Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Jharkhand. The Central Railway is operating 186 specials, including 94 dedicated Holi trips connecting Mumbai and Pune with destinations like Nagpur, Varanasi, and Gorakhpur. Despite these efforts, bookings reveal that many of these special trains are also heavily waitlisted. Key routes such as New Delhi-Barauni, Anand Vihar-Patna, and New Delhi-Gorakhpur are experiencing long waiting lists across various classes, with sleeper and AC categories often fully booked days in advance. While these additional services have provided some relief, they have proven insufficient to meet the peak festive demand. Consequently, many passengers are resorting to splitting their journeys, exploring alternate routes, postponing their travel plans, or even canceling their trips. Some are pinning their hopes on Tatkal tickets, which become available one day before the journey, albeit at a higher price. This annual Holi rush underscores a persistent structural challenge within India's transportation system, especially when contrasted with the scale of passenger movement during China's Spring Festival.
