North Central Railway Announces 204 Holi Special Train Trips: Check Routes And Timings

As the vibrant festival of Holi approaches, North Central Railway (NCR) is preparing for a massive surge in passenger traffic. To prevent the 'festival of colours' from becoming a 'festival of queues,' the railway zone has announced an extensive operational plan.

According to an official statement from the zonal railway, 204 special train trips will run through the NCR network. This aims to ease congestion on regular services and provide more options for travellers heading to major destinations across India. 

The plan is expected to benefit passengers travelling through important NCR stations such as Agra, Kanpur, Prayagraj, and Jhansi, among others, during the high-demand Holi season.

Services Scheduled Between February 15 And March 31, 2026

The NCR network anticipates a significant surge in passenger traffic this year. To tackle this, a comprehensive plan involving 204 special train trips has been put in motion. While many of these trains will transit through the NCR jurisdiction, the zone itself will take primary ownership of five specific pairs, totalling 10 trains and 36 dedicated trips.Utt

These trains are scheduled from February 15 to March 31, 2026. This 45-day period covers the pre-Holi rush, the main festivities (with Holi on March 4, 2026), and the return phase, ensuring a reserved berth for those travelling to Mathura or returning to Mumbai.

Check Key Routes

As per the North Central Railway’s notification, the five pairs of special trains originating under NCR are:  

• Train No. 04101/04102: Prayagraj – Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (LTT)  

• Train No. 04121/04122: Subedarganj – Charlapalli  

• Train No. 01922/01921: VGL Jhansi – Pune  

• Train No. 01924/01923: VGL Jhansi – Hadapsar  

• Train No. 04151/04152: Kanpur Central – Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (LTT)  

These trains provide direct relief to travellers in Agra, Kanpur, Prayagraj, and Jhansi, key junctions for routes to Pune, Mumbai, and Southern India.  

NCR also noted that the overall set of 204 trips will traverse the railway’s network, meaning multiple trains from other zones will also pass through NCR stations as part of the national Holi special train plan.

Booking Information: How To Secure A Berth

For those planning their Holi getaway, the “Festival Special” ticket bookings will be live on the IRCTC website and the NTES app shortly. Unlike regular trains, which open 120 days in advance, these special trains often have shorter booking windows, making it essential to keep a close watch on notifications. Here’s what travellers should know:

Early Booking Advised: The zonal railway has urged passengers to book as soon as slots open to avoid long waitlists.  

Flexible Options: These trains typically offer a mix of Sleeper, 3AC, and 2AC coaches to cater to different budget needs.  

Real-time Tracking: Passengers can use the National Train Enquiry System (NTES) to check timings and platform details for these 0-series special trains.

More Holi Special Trains Likely If Demand Rises

NCR indicates this is the first phase of the rollout. Based on bookings and demand, more special trains could be added soon. The goal is to offer confirmed seats and reduce dependence on crowded unreserved coaches during Holi.  

As NCR prepares for the 204-trip event, travellers should check schedules carefully. With services starting February 15, early bookings deliver the peace of mind of confirmed Holi travel.

(With inputs from various sources)

FAQs

1. How many Holi special train trips has NCR announced? 
North Central Railway has announced a total of 204 Holi special train trips across its network. 

2. Which major stations will benefit from these Holi special trains? 
Key stations include Agra, Kanpur, Prayagraj, Jhansi and other major NCR junctions. 

3. Which are the main NCR-origin Holi special train routes? 
The five key train pairs include Prayagraj–LTT, Subedarganj–Charlapalli, Jhansi–Pune, Jhansi–Hadapsar and Kanpur Central–LTT. 

4. Where can passengers book Holi special train tickets? 
Bookings are expected through the IRCTC website and app, with schedules and updates also available via NTES. 

5. How can travellers check Holi special train timings in real time? 
Passengers can use the NTES (National Train Enquiry System) app to track timings, platforms and running status.