Railways Roll Out Holi Special Trains to Tackle Massive Festive Rush from Patna
With Holi festival approaching, Indian Railways has activated a comprehensive contingency plan to manage the anticipated surge in passenger traffic and alleviate travel difficulties. The festive season traditionally triggers massive migration, with thousands of travelers returning to Bihar from metropolitan cities across India.
Special Trains for Crowded Long-Distance Routes
The railways will soon introduce several special trains on the most congested long-distance routes connecting Patna with other major cities. According to railway authorities, routes experiencing exceptionally high demand include:
- Delhi to Patna
- Mumbai to Patna
- Pune to Patna
- Bengaluru to Patna
- Chennai to Patna
On most regular trains operating during the festive period, confirmed berths have become unavailable, creating considerable inconvenience for passengers planning to return to their native places in Bihar for Holi celebrations.
Addressing Seat Shortage and Waiting Lists
To resolve the critical shortage of seats and berths, the railways has decided to implement multiple measures:
- Running additional Holi special trains on high-demand routes
- Augmenting coaches in existing mail and express trains
- Enhancing safety protocols at major railway stations
Saraswati Chandra, Chief Public Relations Officer of East Central Railway, emphasized that "these measures aim to clear the waiting lists and ensure smoother travel during the peak festive period."
Massive Passenger Influx Expected
According to a Danapur railway official, the railways is preparing to handle an additional rush of approximately 10 to 15 lakh passengers traveling to Patna alone during the Holi festival period. This represents a significant increase over regular passenger volumes and requires specialized management strategies.
Enhanced Security and Passenger Advisory
The Railway Protection Force personnel have received specific instructions to remain particularly vigilant at key stations including:
- Patna Junction
- Patliputra Junction
- Danapur station
These enhanced security measures are designed to maintain order and ensure passenger safety during the anticipated rush. The railways has also issued important advisories for travelers:
- Regularly check train availability through official channels
- Book tickets only through authorized platforms
- Avoid last-minute journeys whenever possible
- Cooperate fully with on-ground railway staff
The comprehensive approach combines additional train services, infrastructure augmentation, and passenger cooperation to create a more manageable travel experience during one of India's most significant festival seasons.
