Passengers traveling from Bhagalpur to Delhi for the upcoming Holi festival in 2026 are facing a unique challenge. While the Indian Railways has announced several special trains to manage the heavy rush, the ticket prices for these services are higher than premium trains like the Humsafar Express. Despite paying these higher fares, travelers are reporting slower journeys and fewer facilities on these special routes compared to regular trains.
Price Difference Between Special and Humsafar Trains
The fare structure for the Holi Special trains operating between Bhagalpur and Anand Vihar (Delhi) shows a clear disparity when compared to the Humsafar Express. These special trains run under the "Trains on Demand" (TOD) category, which attracts a surcharge similar to Tatkal rates. This pricing model is used to recover costs for one-way peak traffic.
For a Sleeper Class ticket on the Special train, a passenger has to pay ₹750, whereas the Humsafar Express charges only ₹690 for the same route. The difference is also evident in the 3rd AC class, where the Special train fare is ₹1,880 compared to ₹1,770 for Humsafar. The situation is similar for routes connecting Bhagalpur to Udhna (Surat), where fares are approximately ₹300 higher than regular express trains.
| Train Type | Sleeper Fare | 3rd AC Fare |
|---|---|---|
| Holi Special Train | ₹750 | ₹1,880 |
| Humsafar Express | ₹690 | ₹1,770 |
More Stops and Service Complaints
Passengers often expect better speed and amenities when paying a premium price, but the operational details tell a different story. The Humsafar Express covers the journey between Bhagalpur and Delhi with only 11 stops. In contrast, the Special train on the same route has 16 stoppages, resulting in a longer travel time.
Service quality is another major concern raised by daily commuters and migrant workers returning home. Unlike the Humsafar or Tejas Express, these special trains often lack a pantry car. Reports suggest that some of these trains use older coaches, leading to issues with cleanliness and maintenance. Since regular trains like the Vikramshila Express are fully booked with long waiting lists, passengers are forced to opt for these expensive special services.
Holi 2026 Special Train Schedule Updates
To accommodate the massive surge of passengers for Holi on March 3-4, 2026, the Ministry of Railways has planned over 1,500 special trips. The East Central Railway alone is operating 285 trips to handle the crowd in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. New pairs of trains have been notified for the Malda Town–Anand Vihar and Udhna–Malda Town routes via Bhagalpur.
Most of these special services will operate between February 22 and March 30, 2026. Since regular trains are showing "No Room" status, railway officials recommend passengers check the NTES portal or call the 139 helpline for real-time seat availability on these special trains.