With the festive rush building up ahead of Holi, the Railways has announced the operation of around 1,200 special trains to manage the heavy passenger flow from Delhi and other major stations. The move aims to ease congestion and ensure smoother travel for those heading home during the festival season.
Officials said that along with necessary crowd-control measures at railway stations, special trains are being introduced in phases. Around 750 special trains from Northern Railway and other zones have already been announced for stations in Delhi. By March 31, the total number of special services is expected to cross 1,200.
Most of these trains will originate from major Delhi stations, while additional services will also run from other key stations under Northern Railway’s jurisdiction. The increased number of trains is expected to reduce pressure on regular services and help passengers who were unable to secure confirmed tickets.
Last year, Northern Railway operated 280 special trains during Holi. This year, the number is set to exceed 350 from Northern Railway alone, with other zones also contributing additional services to and from Delhi.
Platform Ticket Sales Suspended Till March 3
To control crowd movement, platform ticket sales have been suspended from February 26 to March 3 at major stations including New Delhi, Old Delhi, Hazrat Nizamuddin, Anand Vihar Terminal, and Delhi Sarai Rohilla. However, exemptions have been provided for senior citizens, differently-abled passengers, sick individuals, and women travelers who require assistance.
Parcel Services Temporarily Halted
Railways has also decided to suspend parcel services at select platforms between March 1 and March 3 to reduce congestion. At New Delhi Railway Station, parcel loading and unloading will not take place at platforms 6/7, 8/9, and 14/15. Similarly, at Anand Vihar Terminal, parcel operations will remain suspended at platforms 2/3 during this period.
Passengers will be allowed to carry personal luggage only inside passenger coaches. Booking of registered newspapers and magazines will continue with appropriate safety measures in place.
The large-scale deployment of special trains and temporary operational restrictions reflect Railways’ preparations to handle the Holi rush efficiently while maintaining safety and order at key stations.
