Central Railway (CR) operated 862 Holi special trains in addition to its regular services to manage the festive travel rush, carrying over 24.18 lakh passengers in the four days leading up to Holi. The large-scale operation was aimed at helping passengers travel conveniently to celebrate the festival with their families across the country.
According to Central Railway, the special trains included fully air-conditioned services, unreserved specials, and trains with a mix of AC, sleeper, and general second-class coaches, connecting several high-demand destinations across India.
High Occupancy on Holi Special Services
Out of the total special services, 670 trains were operated directly by Central Railway, recording an average occupancy of 105.06 per cent, indicating strong demand for festival travel.
The railway administration operated Holi special trains to multiple states. A total of 409 trains were run for intra-state travel within Maharashtra, while 142 trains were operated to Uttar Pradesh, 82 trains to Bihar, and 21 trains to Goa, catering to the heavy passenger rush during the festive period.
Over 24 Lakh Passengers Travel in Four Days
Central Railway reported that 24.18 lakh passengers travelled on both regular and special trains between February 27 and March 2, 2026, in the days preceding Holi. Of these, around 7 lakh passengers travelled from Mumbai, highlighting the significant festive travel demand from the city.
These special trains were carefully planned to connect key destinations across the country, ensuring smooth movement of passengers travelling to their hometowns and other cities for Holi celebrations.
Extensive Crowd Management and Passenger Facilities
To manage the surge in passenger movement during the festive season, Central Railway implemented several arrangements at major stations including Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT), Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (LTT), and Pune. Holding areas were created at these stations to regulate passenger flow and manage crowds effectively.
Stations were equipped with covered sheds, adequate lighting, ventilation, drinking water facilities, fans, toilets, charging points, food stalls, and passenger address systems to enhance passenger comfort. Help desks were also set up at several stations to provide proper guidance to travellers, while Mobile UTS Sahayaks were deployed at CSMT to assist passengers with ticketing services.
Technology and Security Measures Strengthened
Central Railway also ensured effective crowd management with the deployment of ticket checking staff and Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel at major stations. Queue formation for passenger boarding was strictly monitored under the supervision of RPF personnel and commercial staff.
Railway officials used AI-based systems and dedicated war rooms to monitor ticket availability and passenger trends in real time. Coordination with RPF and Government Railway Police (GRP) was also maintained to ensure safety and security at major stations.
Railway authorities stated that the planning and operation of additional trains is a continuous process, with demand assessed through various communication channels such as media reports, social media platforms, the Railway Integrated Helpline number 139, and waitlist data from the Passenger Reservation System (PRS).
With enhanced passenger services, efficient arrangements, and continuous monitoring, Central Railway said it remains committed to ensuring safe, comfortable, and convenient travel for passengers during the festive season.
