Northern Railway has announced the operation of seven special trains to manage the heavy rush of passengers during the upcoming Holi festival in 2026. These trains will originate from Amritsar, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra, and Firozpur, primarily serving passengers traveling to major stations in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. This move comes as a relief for thousands of migrant workers and families planning to visit their hometowns during the festive season.
Complete Schedule of Holi Special Trains
The Northern Railway administration has released a detailed schedule for these special services. The trains will connect Punjab and Jammu to destinations like Katihar, Mansi, Danapur, Varanasi, and New Delhi. Officials have confirmed that these trains will run on specific dates in February and March to accommodate the festive peak.
| Train Route | Departure Dates | Return Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Amritsar – Katihar (04614/04613) | Feb 25, Mar 1, Mar 5 | Feb 27, Mar 3, Mar 7 |
| Amritsar – Mansi (04610) | Feb 24, Feb 28, Mar 4 | – |
| Amritsar – Katihar Weekly (05735) | Every Friday (Feb 27 – Mar 27) | – |
| Amritsar – Badhni (05006/05005) | Mar 5, 12, 19, 26 | – |
| Katra – New Delhi (04081/04082) | Daily (Feb 22 – Mar 9) | Daily |
| Katra – Varanasi (04604/04603) | Feb 22, 26, Mar 2, Mar 8 | – |
| Firozpur – Danapur (04616/04615) | Feb 26, Mar 2, Mar 6 | Feb 27, Mar 3, Mar 7 |
Booking Process and Travel Rules
Most of these trains are categorized under ‘Special Fare’ services, which means the ticket prices might be slightly higher than regular mail or express trains. Passengers can book their tickets through the IRCTC website, the mobile app, or at computerized reservation counters across the country.
For unreserved travel, passengers can use the UTS app or the RailOne app to purchase tickets for general coaches where available. Railway officials have advised all travelers to carry valid identity proofs during their journey. Since these are special trains, schedules can sometimes change due to operational reasons, so checking the ‘NTES’ app for live status before leaving for the station is recommended.