Indian Railways has officially announced plans to operate more than 1,410 Holi special train trips for the upcoming 2026 festive season. The authorities have also kept a provision to increase this number to 1,500 trips depending on passenger demand. Most of these services will run throughout March 2026, with some trains starting operations as early as February 27 to handle the initial rush.
Zone-wise Train Distribution
The Ministry of Railways has allocated these special trips across various zones to ensure smooth connectivity between major destinations. The highest number of trains will serve passengers travelling towards Bihar and Uttar Pradesh to accommodate heavy demand.
| Railway Zone | Number of Trips |
|---|---|
| East Central Railway (ECR) | 285 |
| Western Railway (WR) | 231 |
| Central Railway (CR) | 209 |
| South Central Railway (SCR) | 160 |
| Northern Railway (NR) | 108 |
| North Western | 71 |
| North Central | 66 |
| East Coast | 62 |
| North Eastern | 62 |
| South Western | 47 |
Booking Rules and Operations
Most of these trains will operate under the Special Fare category, which typically involves a surcharge of 10% to 30% over regular ticket prices. Passengers can book tickets through the IRCTC website, the mobile app, or at station counters. The Railway Board has also announced specific new routes like the weekly superfast special between Subedarganj and Bandra Terminus starting March 2.
To manage the crowd effectively, major stations such as Mumbai Central, Ahmedabad, and Surat have set up dedicated passenger holding areas. These areas are equipped with seating, toilets, and drinking water facilities. The operational period for most trains is scheduled until March 22 or March 31, 2026, with some extensions available for the summer season.