Indian Railway Holi Special: Extra Coaches Announced in 12 Major Trains, Big Relief for Passengers in March Rush

With Holi celebrations, board examinations, wedding season and tourism travel peaking in March, lakhs of passengers turn to trains for intercity and long-distance journeys. To tackle the seasonal surge and reduce waiting lists, Indian Railways has announced temporary augmentation of coaches in 12 major trains connecting key northern and western routes.

The additional coaches will remain operational from March 1 to March 31, while some services will continue the arrangement till the first week of April. Railway officials said the move is aimed at ensuring more confirmed tickets and reducing the burden of long waiting lists during the festive and travel-heavy period.

Why This Decision Was Taken

March typically witnesses a sharp spike in passenger traffic due to:

• Holi festival travel

• School and university examinations

• Wedding season

• Tourism and family visits

To manage this rush, the Railways has decided to temporarily increase the number of sleeper, AC and general coaches in selected trains. This will directly improve seat availability and make travel more comfortable.

Which Categories of Coaches Have Been Increased?

Under the temporary arrangement, the following coach types have been added across different trains:

• Sleeper Class

• Second AC (2A)

• First-cum-Second AC

• AC Chair Car

• General (Unreserved) Coaches

This ensures relief for both budget and premium category passengers.

List of Trains with Additional Coaches

Here is a detailed breakdown of the trains where extra coaches have been introduced:

1. Delhi Sarai–Udaipur City–Delhi Sarai (20473/20474)

Two sleeper coaches have been added.

• From Delhi Sarai: March 1 to March 31

• From Udaipur City: March 2 to April 1

2. Ajmer–Amritsar (19611/19614 and 19613/19612)

One sleeper coach has been added in each direction.

3. Ajmer–Bandra Terminus Special (09621/09622 and 09653/09654)

Sleeper coaches have been temporarily increased to benefit passengers travelling toward Mumbai.

4. Madar–Kolkata–Madar Express (19608/19607)

One Second AC coach has been added for long-distance travellers.

5. Ajmer–Delhi Sarai Rohilla Jan Shatabdi (12065/12066)

One additional AC Chair Car coach has been attached.

6. Jodhpur–Indore–Jodhpur (14801/14802)

• One sleeper coach

• Four general coaches
  have been added to ease congestion for common passengers.

7. Ajmer–Agra Fort (22987/22988)

Two general coaches have been added.

8. Ajmer–Sealdah–Ajmer (12988/12987)

One First-cum-Second AC coach has been increased.

9. Madar–Rewari (19617/19618)

Five general coaches have been added.

10. Ajmer–Solapur Special (09627/09628)

One sleeper coach has been introduced temporarily.

Part of Larger Holi Travel Plan

Railway officials confirmed that this decision is part of a broader Holi crowd management strategy. Nationwide, Indian Railways is operating 1,244 special trains to handle the festive rush and ensure better seat availability.

The goal is to:

• Reduce waiting lists

• Improve passenger convenience

• Ensure smoother travel during peak season

Advisory for Passengers

Passengers are advised to:

• Check train status before departure

• Confirm reservation status online

• Arrive at the station well in advance

• Monitor updates on official railway platforms

Officials believe that with the temporary coach augmentation and special train operations, passengers travelling during Holi and March rush will experience significantly less congestion and better chances of securing confirmed tickets.

This proactive move reflects the Railways’ continued efforts to improve passenger experience during high-demand seasons.