Indian Railways Announces 1,200 Special Trains for Holi 2025: Routes, Timings & Passenger Guidelines

In anticipation of the upcoming Holi festival on March 14, 2025, Indian Railways has announced the operation of 1,200 special trains to accommodate the increased passenger demand during this festive season. These special services aim to ensure that travelers can reach their destinations comfortably and on time, amidst the high demand for train tickets typically observed during Holi.

Details of Special Train Services

The special trains will operate across various railway zones, connecting major cities and regions to cater to the festive rush. Below are some of the key services announced:

1. Central Railway (CR) Zone

   • Mumbai–Nagpur (Bi-Weekly Special): Trains will depart from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) Mumbai on March 9, 11, 16, and 18 at 12:20 AM, arriving in Nagpur at 3:10 PM the same day. The return journey from Nagpur is scheduled on the same dates at 8:00 PM, reaching CSMT at 1:30 PM the following day.

     Mumbai–Goa (Weekly Special): Departures from CSMT are on March 6 and 13 at 12:20 AM, arriving in Madgaon at 1:30 PM. Return journeys from Madgaon are on the same dates at 2:15 PM, reaching CSMT at 3:45 AM the next day.

     Mumbai–Nanded (Weekly Special): Trains will leave Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (LTT) Mumbai on March 12 and 19 at 12:55 AM, arriving in Nanded at 9:00 PM. The return trips from Nanded are on the same dates at 10:30 PM, reaching LTT at 4:05 PM the following day.

     Pune–Nagpur (Weekly Specials): Two sets of services are planned. The first set departs Pune on March 11 and 18 at 3:50 PM, arriving in Nagpur at 6:30 AM the next day. Returns are on March 12 and 19 at 8:00 AM, reaching Pune at 11:30 PM. The second set operates on March 12 and 19 with the same schedule.

     South Central Railway (SCR) Zone

     • Charlapalli–Shalimar (Bi-Weekly Special): Train No. 07703 will depart from Charlapalli on March 9 and 16 at 7:45 PM, arriving in Shalimar at 2:00 AM on the second day. The return service, Train No. 07704, will leave Shalimar on March 11 and 18 at 5:00 AM, reaching Charlapalli at 2:50 PM the next day.

       Charlapalli–Santragachi (Weekly Special): Train No. 07705 is scheduled to depart from Charlapalli on March 7 and 14 at 7:15 AM, arriving in Santragachi at 10:30 AM the following day. The return train, No. 07706, will leave Santragachi on March 8 and 15 at 12:35 PM, reaching Charlapalli at 4:40 PM the next day.

       Jalna–Patna (Weekly Special): Train No. 07611 will depart from Jalna on March 6 and 13 at 10:00 PM, arriving in Patna at 9:45 AM on the second day. The return service, Train No. 07612, will leave Patna on March 8, 12, and 17 at 3:45 PM, reaching Jalna at 2:35 AM on the second day.

       South Eastern Railway (SER) Zone

       • Santragachi–Darbhanga (Holi Special): Train No. 02827 will depart from Santragachi on March 12 at 7:30 AM, arriving in Darbhanga at 7:05 PM the same day. The return train, No. 02828, will leave Darbhanga on March 12 at 8:20 PM, reaching Santragachi at 9:00 AM the following day.Northern Railway (NR) Zone

       • Amritsar–Saharsa (Special Train): Train No. 04602 will depart from Amritsar on March 8, 12, and 16 at 8:10 PM, arriving in Saharsa at 5:00 AM on the second day. The return service, Train No. 04601, will leave Saharsa on March 10, 14, and 18 at 10:00 AM, reaching Amritsar at 6:20 PM the next day.

         Sirhind–Jaynagar (Special Train): Train No. 04502 will depart from Sirhind on March 7, 13, and 17 at 1:00 PM, arriving in Jaynagar at 7:45 PM the next day. The return train, No. 04501, will leave Jaynagar on March 8, 14, and 18 at 11:30 PM, reaching Sirhind at 5:15 AM the following day.

Guidelines for Passengers

To ensure a smooth and safe journey during the festive season, passengers are advised to adhere to the following guidelines:

• Advance Booking: Due to high demand, it is recommended to book tickets well in advance. Reservations for these special trains can be made through the official Indian Railways website, authorized travel agents, and railway reservation counters.

  Arrival at Stations: Passengers should arrive at the railway station at least 60 minutes before the scheduled departure to allow sufficient time for security checks and boarding procedures.

• Valid Identification: Carrying a