This Holi, Indian Railways has announced special trains to ensure people have more access to travel. As per reports, to manage the surge in passenger demand during Holi, a special Vande Bharat Express service between New Delhi and Patna has been launched. This train will operate from March 8 to March 21, catering to travelers heading home for the festival. The route includes major stations such as Kanpur, Prayagraj, Varanasi, Ballia, Chhapra, and Patliputra Junction.
Vande Bharat Express schedule and details
According to Saraswati Chandra, the Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) of East Central Railway (ECR), the 16-coach Vande Bharat Express will run daily except Mondays from New Delhi at 8:30 AM, reaching Patna at 10:30 PM the same day. On its return journey, the train will leave Patna at 5:30 AM, except on Tuesdays, and arrive in New Delhi at 8:10 PM the same day.
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In addition to the special Vande Bharat service, 14 other Holi-special trains will be operated to accommodate the increased demand, bringing the total number of special trains for the festival to 25.
Delhi-Patna Superfast Express (March 7-17): Departs New Delhi at 11:35 PM, arriving at Patna at 4:40 PM the next day. On the return journey, it leaves Patna at 5:50 PM and reaches New Delhi at 10:25 AM.
Anand Vihar-Rajgir Special (March 7, 11, 14, and 18): Departs Anand Vihar at 12:30 AM, reaching Patna at 4:15 PM and Rajgir at 7:50 PM. The return train leaves Rajgir at 11:30 PM, reaching Anand Vihar at 7:00 PM the next day.
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To further ease congestion, Indian Railways will also operate special trains on the following routes:
- Delhi-Bhagalpur
- New Delhi-Gaya
- Anand Vihar-Muzaffarpur
- Yog Nagari Rishikesh-Muzaffarpur
- New Delhi-Saharsa
- Anand Vihar-Jogbani
- Anand Vihar-Jaynagar
- Anand Vihar-Sitamarhi
- Amritsar-Saharsa
- Sirhind-Jaynagar
Given that Holi is one of India's most important holidays, railway officials expect a large volume of travellers. The purpose of these customised trains is to ease traffic and make the journey home more comfortable for passengers. It is recommended that travellers purchase their tickets in advance and monitor official Indian Railways updates for any modifications to the timetable.
With the addition of the Vande Bharat Express and other festival-special trains, Indian Railways is ensuring that Holi travelers experience a smoother and more efficient journey.
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