As Holi approaches, Indian Railways is ramping up efforts to ease travel woes for millions heading home. With confirmed tickets becoming scarce amid the festive rush, the railway has announced 10 additional special trains connecting key routes between Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Kolkata. This move promises relief for passengers from these high-traffic regions.
The new schedule includes popular corridors like Lal Kuan to Kolkata, Saharsa to Purnea Court, Sogarhiya to Danapur, Dankuni to Patna, and more. These trains will halt at major stations, ensuring accessibility for commuters. East Central Railway’s Chief Public Relations Officer, Saraswati Chandra, highlighted that these services address the surge in demand during Holi, facilitating smoother journeys.
Take the 05060/05059 Lal Kuan-Kolkata Special, for instance. Train 05060 departs Lal Kuan every Thursday from March 5 to 26 at 1:35 PM, arriving in Kolkata the next day at 11:55 PM. The return journey, 05059, leaves Kolkata every Saturday from March 7 to 28 at 5:00 AM, reaching Lal Kuan by 3:45 PM. It stops at key stops like Gorakhpur, Thawe, Siwan, Chhapra, Sonpur, Hajipur, Muzaffarpur, Samastipur, Barauni, and Kiul.
Similarly, the 05506/05505 Saharsa-Purnea Court Special runs multiple days a week. Train 05506 operates Tuesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from March 6 to 15, leaving Saharsa at 1:20 PM and arriving Purnea Court by 3:30 PM. The return 05505 runs Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from March 9 to 17, departing Purnea at 3:00 PM and reaching Saharsa at 6:30 PM, with stops at Forbisganj, Madhepura, Murliganj, and Bana Mankhi.
Other services include the 09803/09804 Sogarhiya-Danapur Special on March 1 outbound and March 3 inbound, plus the 03035/03036 Dankuni-Patna Special on select dates in late February and early March. These trains cater specifically to the UP-Bihar belt, where migrant workers flock home for celebrations.
Railways’ proactive planning underscores its commitment to passenger comfort during peak seasons. Travelers are advised to book early via IRCTC and check for updates, as these specials could be a game-changer for Holi reunions. With routes optimized for efficiency, expect fewer delays and more confirmed seats this festival.