Pune Residents Struggle for Train Tickets as Holi Approaches; Airfares Skyrocket

Pune, 25th February 2025: With no train tickets available and airfares soaring, Vishrantwadi resident Rahul Sharma is exploring alternative travel options to reach his hometown in Muzaffarpur, Bihar, for Holi next month.

“The Pune-Danapur Express has been cancelled for February 25 and 26, and from February 27 to March 20, all classes have long waiting lists ranging from 70 to 150 or more. The situation is similar for the weekly train to Darbhanga,” said Sharma, who works in the IT sector.

“One-way airfares to Patna range between ₹11,000 and ₹14,000 per person. Holi is an important festival, but spending such a huge amount on airfare will impact our family budget for the whole year,” he added. Considering the situation, Sharma is now looking into private vehicle options for his family of four.

Apart from these trains, the Pune-Varanasi Express and the Pune-Hatia Express also have long waiting lists, extending up to March 25.
Kharadi resident Nitin Joshi and his wife had planned to visit Prayagraj for the final leg of the Maha Kumbh, but a lack of confirmed tickets has derailed their plans.

“The Railways should have announced the cancellation of the Danapur Express in advance. It stops at Prayagraj, which is crucial during Kumbh Mela. No special trains have been arranged for the Kumbh, and other trains are fully booked. We should have booked tickets earlier,” Joshi said.

Many other families in Pune are facing similar disappointments.
A railway official from the Pune division explained, “The Danapur Express was cancelled on Tuesday and Wednesday due to heavy crowding and disorder. Many trains heading to northern states have been affected.”
Meanwhile, Siddharth Yadav, another passenger, is planning an alternative route—taking a train to Delhi and then boarding another to Ranchi.

Railway authorities have already announced 28 Holi special trains to handle the festival rush. “We are expecting additional Holi special trains connecting Pune and Mumbai with northern states,” said an official.

With limited train options, college student Akash Verma is now considering bus travel to reach Patna in time for the festival.