Western Railway and ST Department to Run Special Trains and Buses for Holi Rush

Surat: In anticipation of the massive travel surge for Holi-Dhuleti, Western Railway has announced 50 special trains, while the Surat State Transport (ST) Department has arranged 550 extra buses to accommodate passengers traveling to their hometowns. The trains will operate until the summer vacation, whereas the buses will run specifically for the Holi-Dhuleti festival period.

Special Trains for Holiday Rush

Western Railway has planned 694 trips of these 50 holiday special trains, covering routes to Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and Rajasthan. The first batch of these special trains has already begun operation, with Train No. 09031 Udhna Special departing from Udhna railway station on March 9, 2025, at 11:25 AM, carrying a significant number of passengers.

To manage the massive crowd, the railway administration has deployed a contingent of 70 Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel at Surat station, with an additional 86 personnel stationed at Udhna railway station. Help desks have also been set up at key locations to assist passengers.

Extra Buses to Ease Holiday Travel

The Surat ST Department has introduced 550 extra buses to cater to the increased demand from March 10 to March 12, 2025. Last year, the department ran 480 extra buses, serving 30,000 passengers and generating revenue of ₹80 lakh. This year, the revenue is expected to cross ₹1 crore due to the increased number of buses.

ST Divisional Director P.V. Gurjar stated that the buses will primarily operate towards destinations such as Dahod, Godhra, Jhalod, and Panchmahal. The buses will run between 4 PM and 10 PM from designated pickup points, including the ground opposite ST Central Bus Station and Ramnagar.

ST Aapna Dwar: A Special Initiative

Under the “ST Aapna Dwar” scheme, if a group of 52 or more people books an entire bus, the Surat ST Department will pick them up directly from their society and transport them to their destination. While regular buses can be booked online, the extra buses will be available for offline booking based on demand.

Group bookings for these extra buses will be available at multiple locations, including:

ST Central Bus Station, Surat

Adajan Bus Station

Udhna Bus Station

Kamrej Bus Stand

Kadodara Bus Station

Passengers can also book through authorized booking agents, the ST Corporation’s mobile app, and the official website (www.gsrtc.in).

Enhanced Security and Crowd Management

Given the increased footfall at railway stations and bus depots, police teams have been deployed to ensure smooth operations and passenger safety. The railway and ST authorities are working together to minimize delays and ensure a hassle-free travel experience.