Indian Railways has brought relief to thousands of passengers planning to travel home for the upcoming Holi festival on March 4, 2026. Northern Railway has officially announced the operation of 108 special trains to handle the passenger rush from Delhi and surrounding areas. These trains are designed to serve major routes connecting the capital to states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and West Bengal.
Key Stations and Operational Details
The special trains will mostly depart from New Delhi, Anand Vihar Terminal, Old Delhi, and Hazrat Nizamuddin stations. Northern Railway General Manager Ashok Kumar Verma stated that officials are monitoring the demand on an hourly basis. If the waiting list on these routes remains high, the administration is prepared to add extra coaches or run clone trains to ensure passengers can travel.
This year, the railway network has planned a record number of over 1,400 Holi special trains across the country. This represents a 23% increase compared to the previous year. The focus remains heavily on the East Central Railway zone, covering busy routes to Bihar and Eastern Uttar Pradesh where the rush is usually the highest.
List of Important Special Trains
Several specific trains have been confirmed to run between late February and March. Passengers can check the National Train Enquiry System (NTES) for real-time schedule updates. Below are some of the key services announced for the festive period:
| Train Route | Dates of Operation |
|---|---|
| Anand Vihar to Laukaha Bazar (04014) | Feb 27 to March 6 |
| Hazrat Nizamuddin to Durg (08752) | March 2 and March 3 |
| Lucknow to New Delhi (04203/04) | Feb 23 and March 2 |
| Subedarganj to Shakur Basti | Weekly (March 1 to 31) |
Booking Process and Ticket Pricing
The booking window for the second phase of these special trains opened on February 14, 2026. Travelers can book their tickets directly through the IRCTC website, the mobile app, or at physical railway reservation counters. It is important to note that most of these services operate as “Special Fare” trains, meaning the ticket prices might be slightly higher than standard express trains.
The trains will feature a mix of AC 2-tier, AC 3-tier, Sleeper, and General coaches. Since regular trains are already showing “No Room” status for peak dates like March 1 to March 5, passengers are advised to secure their seats immediately. Railway authorities have also set up special holding areas and increased security at Delhi stations to manage the crowds effectively.