Holi Special Trains 2026: Indian Railways to Run 1,244 Trips to Manage Festive Rush; Check Routes and Dates

NEW DELHI, Feb 25, 2026 — To accommodate the massive surge in passenger traffic during the upcoming festival of colors, Indian Railways has announced the operation of 1,244 Holi Special train trips across various railway zones.

Scheduled to run from February 25 to March 18, 2026, this extensive network aims to ensure a smooth, safe, and comfortable journey for lakhs of travelers.

Officials have indicated that the number of trips could be scaled up to 1,500 should demand continue to rise. These special services are strategically designed to connect major metropolitan hubs like Mumbai, Delhi, and Bengaluru with key regional centers in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal, effectively reducing the load on regular long-distance trains.

Zonal Breakdown and Key Routes:- The East Central Railway will lead the festive operations with the highest volume, running 275 trips across 50 special services to cater to the heavy demand in Bihar and Jharkhand. This is followed closely by the Northern Railway, which has scheduled 204 trips connecting the national capital to destinations like Varanasi, Lucknow, and Saharsa.

Other major contributors include the Central Railway with 129 trips and the Western Railway with 120 trips, ensuring seamless connectivity from industrial hubs like Mumbai, Ahmedabad, and Surat to eastern India. From the South, specialized services will link Chennai, Ernakulam, and Bengaluru to northern capitals, bridging the gap for long-distance commuters.

Enhanced Connectivity and Passenger ComfortThese special trains are not limited to major trunk routes but also extend to regional circuits.

For instance, the South Eastern Railway is operating 107 trips from stations like Santragachi and Tatanagar, while the North Frontier Railway is bridging Northeast India with the rest of the country through services from Dibrugarh and Agartala. To further ease the “homebound” rush, many of these trains, such as the Barauni–New Delhi and Darbhanga–New Delhi specials, will operate on a daily basis.

By offering confirmed accommodation and additional berths, Indian Railways’ proactive planning is set to minimize congestion and provide a reliable travel alternative for families celebrating Holi across the nation.