Maharashtra: Central Railway Announces Holi and Summer Special Trains; Bookings Begin February 16 — Check Route Details Here

Central Railway has declared that it will continue operating several services by extending their schedule as Special Trains, Holi Specials, and Summer Specials to handle the anticipated surge in passenger traffic. Under this expanded arrangement, a total of 1,448 trips will be conducted, comprising 328 Holi Special services, 148 regular Special services, and 972 Summer Special services. Railway authorities emphasized that ensuring passenger comfort and smooth travel remains their foremost concern. These trains will serve major and frequently traveled routes linking cities such as Mumbai, Solapur, Pune, Kalaburagi, Nashik, and Hadapsar, providing much-needed connectivity during the festive and vacation seasons.

A number of weekly services, including the Solapur–Mumbai and Solapur–Anakapalle routes, will continue running under the revised categories until July 15, 2026. Likewise, daily trains operating on high-demand sectors such as Solapur–Daund, Kolhapur–Pune, and Badnera–Nashik will also be extended under the same framework. Officials confirmed that there will be no alterations in departure or arrival timings, stoppages, routes, or coach composition for these trains. Passengers can therefore expect the same schedules and facilities while benefiting from the extended services introduced to accommodate the seasonal rush and ensure smoother travel planning.

Among the weekly services, the Solapur–Lokmanya Tilak Terminus Mumbai (01435), which earlier operated every Tuesday until February 24, 2026, will now run as a Holi Special from March 3 to March 31, 2026. It will function as a Special Train between April 7 and April 14, 2026, and later as a Summer Special from April 21 to July 14, 2026, completing 20 trips in total. Similarly, the Lokmanya Tilak Terminus Mumbai–Solapur (01436), previously scheduled every Wednesday until February 25, 2026, will operate as a Holi Special from March 4 to April 1, 2026, as a Special Train from April 8 to April 15, 2026, and as a Summer Special from April 22 to July 15, 2026, also totaling 20 trips.

The Solapur–Anakapalle (01477), which earlier ran every Friday until February 27, 2026, will be designated as a Holi Special from March 6 to March 27, 2026. It will then operate as a Special Train between April 3 and April 10, 2026, and subsequently as a Summer Special from April 17 to July 10, 2026, completing 19 trips. Correspondingly, the Anakapalle–Solapur (01478), previously scheduled every Saturday until February 28, 2026, will run as a Holi Special from March 7 to March 28, 2026, as a Special Train from April 4 to April 11, 2026, and as a Summer Special from April 18 to July 11, 2026, also totaling 19 trips.

In addition to weekly services, several daily trains will continue operating up to July 15, 2026 under the same phased structure. They will function as Holi Specials from March 1 to March 31, 2026, as Special Trains from April 1 to April 14, 2026, and as Summer Specials from April 15 to July 15, 2026. These include Solapur–Daund and Daund–Solapur (01461 and 01462), Solapur–Kalaburagi and Kalaburagi–Solapur (01465 and 01466), Hadapsar–Harangul and Harangul–Hadapsar (01487 and 01488), Kolhapur–Pune and Pune–Kolhapur (01024 and 01023), and Badnera–Nashik and Nashik–Badnera (01211 and 01212), each completing 137 trips per service.

Ticket reservations for these Special Trains, excluding train number 01478, will commence from February 16, 2026 at all computerized reservation centers as well as through the official website of Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation within the Advanced Reservation Period. For journeys scheduled beyond the current booking window, reservations will open according to the applicable future ARP dates. Unreserved coach tickets can be obtained through the UTS system, and passengers may also make bookings conveniently via the RailOne mobile application.