New Delhi: The Railways has made extensive arrangements to handle the rush of passengers during Holi. To manage congestion and ensure passenger convenience, the platforms of several major trains at New Delhi Railway Station have been temporarily rescheduled from February 25 to March 4, 2026. The Railway administration states that this step has been taken to maintain safe and smooth travel during the festival.
According to information released by the Railways, the arrival and departure platforms of several important trains, such as the Swatantrata Senani Express, Shatabdi Express, Duronto Express, Uttar Sampark Kranti, Shramjeevi Superfast, and Intercity, have been changed. Passengers are advised to check their train’s platform number before traveling and arrive at the station well in advance.
Railways’ major plan for crowd management during Holi: To handle the extra rush during Holi, the Railways has also started operating special trains. According to railway officials, the routes to Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Jammu and Kashmir are the most crowded, so additional services are being provided on these routes. The Railways has clarified that if passenger numbers exceed expectations, on-demand special trains will also be operated to ensure no passenger is inconvenienced.
Tightened security arrangements: Special arrangements have been made not only at New Delhi but also at Old Delhi, Anand Vihar, and Hazrat Nizamuddin railway stations for crowd management. Additional ticket counters, holding areas, barricades, and separate entry and exit routes for passengers are being constructed at these stations. Additional RPF and GRP deployments, CCTV surveillance, drone surveillance, and constant monitoring from the control room have been implemented. Special teams will be deployed on crowded platforms to prevent any stampede or chaos.
Northern Railway Chief Public Relations Officer Himanshu Shekhar Upadhyay stated that passenger safety and convenience are the Railways’ top priority during Holi. He stated that the Railways has made multi-layered arrangements for crowd management, additional trains, platform changes, and security. He urged passengers to avoid rumors and rely on authorized information sources. He urged them to stay informed by calling the helpline 139 or checking the Railways website for updates. These arrangements will ensure safer, more organized, and smoother travel during the festival.
