North Eastern Railway steps up for Holi with two game-changing unreserved specials from West Bengal to heartland India. Designed for the unbooked masses, these one-way trains launch March 1, 2026, offering general-class travel without prior seats.
First up: 03103 Sealdah-Prayagraj special at 10:40 AM, arriving March 2 at 1:00 PM. It threads through vibrant stops—Naihati, Bandel, Burdwan, Sainthia, Barharwa, Sahibganj, Sultanganj, Kiul, Bakhtiyarpur, Patna, Ara, Buxar, and Pt. DDU Junction—linking Konkan, Bihar, and UP regions seamlessly.
The night runner, 03015 Howrah-Delhi, sets off at midnight, hitting Delhi by afternoon next day. Key stations: Bandel, Khana, Asansol, Chittaranjan, Jasidih, Kiul, Hajipur, Chhapra, Ballia, Varanasi, Janghai, Fafamau, Rae Bareli, Bareilly, Moradabad.
Contextualizing the push, NER runs 66 Holi special trips, hosts 116 pairs from peer zones, and sees 94 others traverse its lines—collectively unlocking thousands of spots. This infrastructure blitz eases festival strains effectively.
Officials call for disciplined boarding, vigilance on safety, and aid during checks. Primarily aiding migrants and kin returning for Dol Jatra, these trains could multiply per demand. Rail connectivity shines brighter this Holi.