Northern Railway Announces Extensive Special Train Services for Holi Season from Delhi
In preparation for the massive Holi travel rush, Northern Railway has unveiled a comprehensive plan involving a large fleet of special trains originating from key stations in the national capital. The initiative aims to facilitate smooth travel for lakhs of migrant workers and students returning home for the festival.
Key Stations and Operational Timeline
The special train services are being operated from three major Delhi stations: New Delhi, Old Delhi, and Anand Vihar Terminal. These services commenced on February 20 and will continue running until the end of March, strategically timed to accommodate the peak holiday travel period.
Chief Public Relations Officer Himanshu Shekhar Upadhyay emphasized that the objective is to alleviate congestion on regular trains, many of which have reported extensive waiting lists weeks in advance of Holi. "The special trains were meticulously planned after reviewing booking trends and anticipated passenger demands," stated an official. Passengers are strongly advised to book tickets exclusively through authorized channels to avoid scams.
Detailed Route Network and Destinations
The special trains connect Delhi to numerous major destinations across several states, ensuring widespread coverage for travelers.
- New Delhi Station: Special services are catering to destinations including Barauni, Gorakhpur, Lucknow, Varanasi, Khurda Road, and Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra. Specific routes like New Delhi to Barauni, Gorakhpur, and Lucknow are particularly beneficial for passengers heading to eastern Uttar Pradesh and north Bihar.
- Old Delhi Station: Given its established connectivity to Purvanchal and Bihar-bound routes, this station is expected to handle a significant portion of outbound passengers during the festive season.
- Anand Vihar Terminal: This terminal, which primarily serves east and central India, will see the highest number of special services. Key connections include Danapur, Muzaffarpur, Jaynagar, Sitamarhi, Khurda Road, and Gorakhpur.
Schedule Highlights and Frequency
The railway has implemented a varied schedule to maximize efficiency and passenger convenience.
- Special trains will run between Varanasi and New Delhi from February 22 to March 6.
- Similar services between Hazrat Nizamuddin and Pune are scheduled from February 28 to March 6.
- The New Delhi-Howrah special service will operate from February 25 to March 3.
- A high-frequency special between Anand Vihar and Laukaha Bazar will feature over two dozen trips.
- Weekly special trains to Danapur and Muzaffarpur have been introduced.
- Additional special trains linking Delhi with Haridwar, Katihar, and Ranchi are either originating from or passing through the city.
This extensive deployment underscores Northern Railway's proactive approach to managing seasonal travel surges, ensuring that passengers can celebrate Holi with their families without the stress of transportation hurdles.
