In a bid to manage the festive rush, Indian Railways will run 491 trips of 196 special trains during Holi. These special trains will connect major destinations across the country for the convenience of passengers and to ease the festive rush, the Indian Railways said on Monday, according to the news agency PTI.
This year, the festival of colors Holi will be celebrated on 7 and 8 March. In a statement, the Railway Ministry said, “In this ongoing festive season of Holi, for the convenience of rail travelers and to clear extra rush of passengers, Indian Railways is running 491 trips of 196 special trains."
Check routes of special trains
"Special trains have been planned to connect major destinations across the country like Delhi- Patna, Delhi- Bhagalpur, Delhi-Muzaffarpur, Delhi-Saharsa, Gorakhpur- Mumbai, Kolkata-Puri, Guwahati- Ranchi, New Delhi- Sri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra, Jaipur- Bandra Terminus, Pune- Danapur, etc.," the statement read.
Railways has also put into effect crowd-controlling measures by forming queues at the terminus stations under the supervision of RPF staff for orderly entry of passengers in unreserved coaches is being ensured, according to the news agency PTI.
Additional RPF personnel have been deployed at major stations to ensure the security of passengers, it said, adding that officers have been deployed on emergency duty at major stations to ensure the smooth running of trains.
Officials will be deployed in various sections to manage any disruption of train service on priority. Measures have been taken for a frequent and timely announcement of the arrival/departure of trains with platform numbers, the ministry said.
Delhi metro services from 2.30 pm on Holi
Meanwhile, Delhi Metro services will begin from 2:30 pm on the day of Holi, officials said on Monday. Metro train services will start at 2:30 pm from terminal stations on all lines on that day and will continue normally thereafter.
"On the day of the 'Holi' festival, i.e., March 8, 2023 (Wednesday), metro services will not be available till 14.30 hrs (2:30 PM) on all lines of Delhi Metro including Rapid Metro/Airport Express Line," the DMRC said in a statement,.