Holi: 14 lakh travelled by train in last 5 days through Northern Railway
By Arun Kumar Das
New Delhi, Mar 3: In view of the major rush for Holi, the Indian Railway has made elaborate arrangements at major stations, particularly for passengers travelling to the eastern parts of the country.
On March 2, 22 Special trains originated from major stations in the Delhi area.
On March 1, 2026, 22 special trains were operated and approximately 3.36 lakh outward passengers boarded from the Delhi area which is an increase of 18.07 per cent compared to the corresponding period during Holi last year (March 11, 2025, the third day before Holi).
In the last five days, around 14 lakh passengers have travelled from the Delhi area, according to railway officials.
Northern Railway officials are continuously monitoring the crowd situation at major stations in the Delhi area to ensure smooth and safe travel for passengers.
Feedback received through social media platforms of Zonal Railways indicates high levels of passenger satisfaction with the arrangements.
At Northern Railway, the special arrangements made at Anand Vihar Terminal railway station reflect smooth and well-regulated passenger movement during the festive rush ahead of Holi.
South Central Railway has also put in place extensive arrangements to effectively manage the heavy passenger rush during the Holi festival season, ensuring smooth, safe and hassle-free travel for passengers heading to their hometowns.
As part of these efforts, SCR has announced the operation of 195 special trains from the last week of February through March to cater to increased demand.
Between 21st February and 2nd March 2026, the Zone operated 26 special trains from key originating stations such as Secunderabad, Charlapalli and Tirupati towards major destinations including Raxaul, Nizamuddin, Kollam, Danapur and Bhubaneswar.
During this period, more than 50,000 passengers travelled in these 26 special trains across both reserved and unreserved coaches. Notably, on 1st and 2nd March 2026 alone, nine special trains were operated, carrying approximately 15,000 passengers.
To handle the festive rush efficiently, SCR implemented a series of coordinated measures, including frequent announcements about special trains to avoid confusion, real-time train information through electronic display boards, and proper guidance and assistance to passengers at stations.
Publicity campaigns encouraged passengers to purchase tickets through Automatic Ticket Vending Machines (ATVMs) and the Rail One App, while information was widely disseminated through print, electronic and social media platforms. Adequate Railway Protection Force (RPF) and ticket checking staff were deployed, and continuous monitoring ensured punctual operation of special trains. Special emphasis was laid on effective crowd management to facilitate safe boarding and deboarding, with RPF personnel stationed at foot over bridges, platforms, entry and exit gates, as well as onboard trains.
Amid the heightened travel demand during the Holi festive period, Western Railway recorded a total of 23,03,445 passengers over three days. On 27th February, 13,66,545 passengers travelled, followed by 4,51,604 passengers on 28th February and 4,85,296 passengers on 1st March. Notably, on 1st March alone, around 20,000 passengers departed from Udhna station, reflecting the significant surge in festive travel and the effective management of passenger movement by Western Railway.
Keeping in view the heavy rush and intense heat during Holi, Western Railway undertook a special initiative at Udhna station by distributing nearly 3,000 packaged drinking water bottles, providing immediate relief to passengers. This thoughtful and humane gesture made travel more comfortable, with passengers expressing appreciation for the proactive and service-oriented approach of Western Railway.
