Indian Railways Holi Special Trains are being ramped up for 2026, with more than 1,410 services planned to help millions of passengers travel smoothly during the festival rush.
Summary: Indian Railways will run more than 1,410 Holi Special Trains nationwide ahead of the March festival, with total special services expected to reach around 1,500. The plan is designed to reduce crowding on regular routes and improve reliability during one of India’s busiest travel periods.
Indian Railways Holi Special Trains are set to expand to record levels in 2026 as the national transporter prepares for a major spike in passenger demand ahead of the Holi festival. The rail operator says the additional services are intended to keep travel moving smoothly for the millions of people expected to journey across the country to celebrate.
According to the plan, Indian Railways will operate more than 1,410 Holi Special Trains across India. The overall number of special services during the festive period is expected to reach around 1,500 in March, as the network adds capacity to handle seasonal crowding and provide more travel options.
Record Holi Special Trains planned for March 2026
The 2026 Holi schedule represents a notable increase compared with the previous year. For Holi 2025, Indian Railways provided 1,144 special trains; the higher 2026 figure signals a more aggressive effort to match demand and reduce pressure on regular passenger services that often become overcrowded during peak festival travel.
The railway operator framed the expansion as a response to the annual travel surge, when passengers typically move in large numbers to visit family and friends or to take part in Holi celebrations in major cities and regional destinations.
Railway zones assigned to manage festival demand
To deliver the additional services, Indian Railways is relying on its regional zones, with each zone responsible for mobilizing resources and operating special trains in its area. The largest allocation is with the East Central Railway, which is scheduled to run 285 special services to help manage heavy passenger flows.
Other high-volume zones include the Western Railway, which has scheduled 231 special trains, and the Central Railway, which is set to operate 209 services. Indian Railways indicated these numbers reflect expected demand in the western and central parts of the country during the holiday period.
In the south, the South Central Railway has planned 160 Holi special trains. In the north, the Northern Railway has scheduled 108 services, with the goal of keeping high-traffic corridors moving and maintaining connections between key cities and towns during the festival period.
Additional services across India to strengthen connectivity
Beyond the biggest zones, Indian Railways is also increasing services elsewhere to broaden coverage during the holiday peak. The North Western Railway will run 71 special trains, while the North Central Railway has planned 66 services to support travel across northern and central routes.
In the eastern and coastal regions, the North Eastern Railway and the East Coast Railway will each operate 62 special trains. Indian Railways said these additions are intended to help meet demand in areas that may otherwise have fewer options during the festival rush.
Further allocations include 47 special trains from the South Western Railway and 43 services from the West Central Railway. The Southern Railway is scheduled to operate 39 special trains, while the South East Central Railway will run 15 services.
Along the western coastal route, the Konkan Railway will introduce 9 special trains. In the northeastern region, the Northeast Frontier Railway will provide 2 special trains as part of the wider nationwide plan.
Operational focus: safety, cleanliness, and smoother journeys
Indian Railways said the expanded Holi schedule is part of a broader commitment to passenger convenience and safety during the festival. By adding special trains, the operator aims to ease congestion on regular services and reduce the likelihood of travel disruptions during one of the country’s busiest periods.
Alongside the extra services, Indian Railways also pointed to steps focused on operational efficiency, safety, and cleanliness, with the stated goal of delivering a more seamless travel experience and minimizing disruptions for passengers.
Key numbers at a glance
- More than 1,410 Holi Special Trains scheduled nationwide
- Total special services expected to reach around 1,500 during March
- Holi 2025 comparison: 1,144 special trains
- Largest zone allocation: East Central Railway (285 services)
For travelers, the expanded Holi Special Trains schedule matters because it can translate into more seat availability, additional departure choices, and less crowding on regular routes. For the wider travel industry in India, the move signals an operational push to manage peak-season mobility more effectively—helping passengers reach destinations on time during Holi, when demand typically surges across the rail network.
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