The North Western Railway zone reported that more than 5.5 million passengers travelled during the festive period. Notably, nearly 1.1 million passengers undertook journeys on March 1 and 2 alone, reflecting the sharp spike in demand.
To meet the surge, 295 trips of newly introduced special trains were notified connecting major destinations including Gorakhpur, Samastipur, Amritsar, Mysuru, Howrah, Tirupati, Chennai, Kolkata and Vadodara. Additionally, 54 special trips were operated in the week preceding Holi to ease early festive traffic.
The railway administration also extended the operational period of 30 special trains covering 216 trips. In a further boost, 141 additional coaches were attached to 53 regular trains to accommodate increased bookings.
Crowd Management and Safety Measures Intensified
Major stations across the country witnessed structured crowd regulation systems. Holding areas and barricades were installed to streamline entry and avoid platform congestion. Phased boarding ensured smooth passenger flow, while continuous announcements and electronic display boards kept travellers informed.
Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel and ticket checking staff were deployed in large numbers to maintain security and discipline. Civil Defence volunteers approximately 55 to 60 were stationed at Delhi Junction, New Delhi and Anand Vihar Terminal from February 26 to March 4 to support passenger movement.
Senior officers at headquarters and divisional levels conducted continuous monitoring, while 24×7 war rooms operated for coordinated decision-making during the rush period.
Zones Across India Report Smooth Operations
From Lokmanya Tilak Terminus in Mumbai to Prayagraj, Mathura, Kanpur, Gorakhpur and Raipur, railway staff ensured vigilant supervision. Special queue systems were implemented for trains such as the Lokmanya Tilak Terminus–Udyog Nagri Express and Holi Special services connecting Delhi and Darbhanga.
Passengers travelling on Sampoorna Kranti Express and other festive services expressed appreciation for the clean coaches, improved ticketing systems and availability of confirmed berths despite heavy demand.
Rail Karmayogis actively assisted elderly, divyang and women passengers, reinforcing inclusive travel arrangements. Continuous announcements and on-ground guidance further ensured orderly boarding and deboarding at stations nationwide.
Positive Passenger Feedback
Several passengers travelling from Delhi to Prayagraj, Agra to Dholpur, and Raipur to other destinations shared positive feedback, highlighting smooth ticketing through counters and ATVMs, efficient crowd control and improved amenities.
Students and working professionals returning home for Holi credited the operation of special trains for enabling confirmed reservations during the festive peak.
Commitment to Safe Festive Travel
Indian Railways reiterated its commitment to maintaining high safety standards, operational discipline and passenger-centric services during peak travel seasons. The coordinated approach combining additional train services, vigilant monitoring and systematic management ensured that Holi journeys remained organised and comfortable.