Patna: As the festival of Holi approaches, Indian Railways has announced a series of special train services to manage the sharp rise in passenger demand across eastern and northern India. The move comes amid annual concerns over overcrowded trains during the festive season, when travel volumes typically spike as people return home to celebrate with families. Officials said the additional services will connect key destinations in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and southern India.
According to railway officials, special arrangements have been made for travellers moving between Puri and Patna. Train number 08439 will operate every Saturday starting February 28, while the return service, train number 08440, will run every Sunday in March, departing Patna at 1:30 pm. Additional support has also been planned for Delhi-bound passengers through the Anand Vihar–Dankuni special service, which will run during the first week of March and stop at major stations including Gaya, Nawada and Kiul.
The Railways has also announced new links connecting southern India with Bihar. A special service between Charlapalli in Telangana and Raxaul will operate via major junctions such as Dhanbad, Barauni and Darbhanga, providing greater accessibility for long-distance travellers. Meanwhile, passengers travelling from West Bengal will benefit from the Sealdah–Gorakhpur and Asansol–Gorakhpur special services, which will halt at important stations including Hajipur and Barauni, easing travel for commuters across north Bihar.
Most of the special trains are scheduled to run from February 23 until the final week of March, covering the peak Holi travel period. Railway authorities have advised passengers to finalise their travel plans early and book tickets in advance to avoid last-minute inconvenience. Officials hope the extra services will help reduce crowding and improve passenger comfort during one of the busiest travel seasons of the year.
