Railways Deploy 1,409 Special Trains for Holi Season to Manage Unprecedented Passenger Traffic
In a major operational move, Indian Railways has announced the scheduling of 1,409 special trains from March 1 to March 22 to accommodate the enormous surge of travelers during the Holi festival period. This initiative is specifically designed to tackle the anticipated heavy rush and ensure smooth connectivity across the country.
East Central Railway Takes Lead with Record 285 Special Trains
According to an official statement from the Railway Board, the East Central Railway (ECR) will play a pivotal role in this extensive operation. The ECR is set to run an unprecedented 285 special trains from various stations within its jurisdiction, significantly bolstering the network's capacity.
"This marks a sharp increase in the number of special trains compared to previous years, which stood at 1,144," a Railway Board official emphasized, highlighting the scaled-up efforts to meet passenger demand.
Comprehensive Breakdown of Special Trains Across Railway Zones
The distribution of these Holi special trains across different railway zones is as follows:
- Western Railway: 231 trains
- Central Railway: 209 trains
- South Central Railway: 160 trains
- Northern Railway: 108 trains
- North Western Railway: 71 trains
- North Central Railway: 66 trains
- North Eastern Railway: 62 trains
- East Coast Railway: 62 trains
- South Western Railway: 47 trains
- West Central Railway: 43 trains
- Southern Railway: 39 trains
- South East Central Railway: 15 trains
- Konkan Railway: 9 trains
- North Frontier Railway: 2 trains
Extensive Route Coverage to Connect Major Hubs and Destinations
The Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) of the East Central Railway provided details on the route network. These Holi special trains will cater to a wide variety of routes, particularly focusing on connections to and from major transportation hubs.
Key destinations include:
- Patna
- Mumbai
- Delhi
- Pune
- Bengaluru
- Howrah
- Various parts of Uttar Pradesh
This strategic deployment aims to facilitate seamless travel for passengers returning home for the Holi celebrations or visiting family and friends during the festive season. The railways' proactive measures are expected to significantly ease congestion and improve travel experience during one of the busiest periods on the Indian railway network.
