Guwahati, 25 February (HS): The Northeast Frontier Railway will operate more than 100 trips of Holi Special trains across its jurisdiction to manage the anticipated surge in passenger traffic during the upcoming Holi festival. A total of 14 pairs of special trains will run 128 trips to provide additional capacity and ensure smooth and comfortable travel during the festive season.

Chief Public Relations Officer Kapinjal Kishore Sharma stated that 11 pairs of Holi Special trains are already in operation from February 2026. In addition, three more special train services will run between Tatanagar–Katihar, Agartala–Guwahati, and Kishanganj–Lalkuan.

Special Train No. 08181 (Tatanagar–Katihar) will operate every Monday from March 2 to March 30, departing Tatanagar at 1:00 pm and reaching Katihar at 7:30 am the following day. The return service, Train No. 08182 (Katihar–Tatanagar), will run every Tuesday from March 3 to March 31, leaving Katihar at 10:30 am and arriving at Tatanagar at 4:30 am the next day. Both services will complete five trips each.

Similarly, Train No. 05628 (Agartala–Guwahati) will run every Thursday from March 5 to March 26, departing Agartala at 7:00 pm and arriving in Guwahati at 9:00 am the next day. The return service, Train No. 05627 (Guwahati–Agartala), will operate every Friday from March 6 to March 27, leaving Guwahati at 1:15 pm and reaching Agartala at 4:25 am the following day. These services will make four trips each.

Additionally, Train No. 05741 (Kishanganj–Lalkuan) will run every Thursday from March 5 to March 26, departing at 8:30 am and arriving at Lalkuan at 3:40 pm the next day. The return service, Train No. 05742 (Lalkuan–Kishanganj), will operate every Friday from March 6 to March 27, departing Lalkuan at 8:40 pm and reaching Kishanganj at 2:00 am on Sunday. Both trains will operate four trips each.

Apart from introducing special trains, the zone has also intensified passenger facilitation measures at major stations. Arrangements including provision of safe drinking water, deployment of security personnel, systematic crowd management at platforms and circulating areas, help desks, and additional on-ground staff have been put in place to ensure safe, orderly and comfortable travel during the festive rush.-----------

Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash