Patna: As millions prepare to travel home for Holi, passengers bound for Bihar are facing severe ticket shortages, with most regular and special trains already full weeks before the festival.
Almost all major services originating from the Patna Junction and Danapur railway divisions have reported heavy demand, leaving little to no availability across classes. Long waiting lists have formed not only on regular trains but also on special services introduced to manage the seasonal surge.
Premium trains connecting Delhi and Patna — including the Sampoorna Kranti Express, Tejas Rajdhani and the Amrit Bharat service to Anand Vihar — are fully booked for March 1 and 2, when travel peaks ahead of Holi. Similar conditions have been reported on long-distance routes such as the Mumbai–Patliputra Express, the Pune–Patna Special and the Chennai–Danapur Sanghamitra Express. From sleeper class to third AC, seats have largely been exhausted.
For many passengers, the Tatkal quota was the last remaining option. However, high demand and technical delays during booking windows have meant that Tatkal tickets are selling out within minutes. With confirmed tickets scarce, some travellers say they may have to rely on overcrowded unreserved coaches to reach home in time for the festival.
The railways have announced several special trains in an attempt to ease pressure, but passengers say the additional capacity has done little to absorb demand. Booking for the Delhi–Sheikhpura special (04070) quickly generated a lengthy waiting list for February 27. Seats on the Puri–Patna Special (04439) have also been filling rapidly.
Confusion has further added to passenger frustration. Bookings for some announced services, including the Jaynagar–Udhna Express and a Pune–Patna Special, have yet to open, leaving prospective travellers uncertain about their options.
In previous years, clone trains and additional seasonal services provided some relief during Holi. This year, however, fewer such trains have been introduced, and bookings for expected clone services appear to have been halted.
With travel demand expected to intensify as the festival approaches, passengers are now awaiting further announcements from the railways. Without additional services, railway stations in Bihar and major metropolitan departure points could see severe overcrowding in the days leading up to Holi.
