Indian Railways has announced Holi special trains to manage the surge in passenger demand during the festive season. Starting February 28, 2026, extra services will run on the New Delhi-Kolkata corridor, ensuring smoother travel for passengers heading home. Over 1,400 special trains are planned nationwide.
Indian Railways has unveiled a comprehensive plan to run Holi special trains across the country, including additional services on the busy New Delhi-Kolkata route. With Holi falling on March 4, 2026, the festive season is expected to witness one of the heaviest travel rushes of the year.
To meet this demand, Indian Railways will operate more than 1,410 special trains nationwide, with services beginning from February 28 and continuing until mid-March. The New Delhi-Kolkata corridor, one of the busiest routes, will see multiple additional trains to ease congestion and provide passengers with timely travel options.
Officials have confirmed that these services will include enhanced coaches, phased ticket booking through IRCTC, and strict safety measures to manage peak travel periods. The East Central Railway zone has already announced 26 special trains connecting Delhi, Kolkata, and Bihar, while North Eastern Railway will run 62 trains linking Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar.
Key highlights from the announcement include
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Indian Railways to run over 1,410 Holi special trains nationwide
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Extra services on New Delhi-Kolkata route starting February 28, 2026
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East Central Railway announces 26 trains between Delhi, Kolkata, and Bihar
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North Eastern Railway to operate 62 trains linking Delhi, UP, and Bihar
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Phased IRCTC booking and enhanced safety measures for passengers
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Festival travel demand expected to peak between February 28 and March 9
Analysts note that the record number of special trains reflects Indian Railways’ proactive approach to managing seasonal migration and festive travel. The initiative is expected to provide relief to millions of passengers facing heavy waiting lists and overcrowded platforms during Holi.
Sources: Indian Railways, Patna Press, NewsPoint, Economic Times