Holi Special Train Shalimar-New Jalpaiguri-Shalimar
Holi Special Train Shalimar-New Jalpaiguri-Shalimar
Shalimar-New Jalpaiguri-Shalimar
Keeping in view the extra rush of the passengers during Holi Festival, South Eastern Railway has decided to run the following Holi Special trains :-
Shalimar-New Jalpaiguri-Shalimar Holi Special leaving Shalimar on 17.03.2025 and leaving New Jalpaiguri on 18.03.2025
Train No. 02885 / Train No. 02886 Shalimar-New Jalpaiguri-Shalimar Holi Special
Train No. 02885 Shalimar-New Jalpaiguri Special will leave Shalimar at 13.40 hrs and will reach New Jalpaiguri at 00.10 hrs, the next day. In the opposite direction, Train No. 02886 New Jalpaiguri-Shalimar Special leaving New Jalpaiguri at 11.45 hrs will arrive Shalimar at 00.20 hrs, the next day.
The Special trains will have stoppages at Dankuni, Barddhman, Rampurhat, Malda Town, Barsoi, Kishanganj and Aluabari stations between Shalimar and New Jalpaiguri.
For detailed timings and halts please visit www.enquiry.indianrail.gov.in or download NTES App.
Here’s what’s verified regarding the Holi Special train service between Shalimar (Kolkata) and New Jalpaiguri (NJP):
Contents
❌ No Holi Special on Shalimar–NJP in 2025
- In March 2025, there was no Holi Special train operated between Shalimar and New Jalpaiguri or its return leg.
- South Eastern Railway’s official Holi special listings covered routes via Santragachi, Puri, Raxaul, New Jalpaiguri from other origins—but did not list Shalimar–NJP services.
🕰️ Historical Reference: 2025 Service
- In March 2022, Train Nos. 02885 / 02886 were operated as Shalimar → New Jalpaiguri → Shalimar Holi Special:
- 02885 left Shalimar around 13:40 hrs on March 17 and reached NJP at around 00:10 hrs the next day.
- 02886 departed NJP at approximately 11:45 hrs on March 18, arriving at Shalimar around 00:20 hrs the following day.
- Key stops included Dankuni, Barddhaman, Rampurhat, Malda Town, Barsoi, Kishanganj, and Aluabari.
⚠️ Caution: Special Trains Have Low Priority
- These Holi specials, numbered with leading “0…”, are assigned the lowest operational priority, typically causing delays of 6–14+ hours.
- As many travelers have pointed out:
“Festival special train hamesha late hi chalti hai… my train was 8 hours late”
“TT once told me special train starts with 0 and it has least priority…”
📋 Summary Table
| Year | Route | Train Nos. | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Shalimar ↔ New Jalpaiguri | 02885 / 02886 | Operated one round-trip during Holi |
| 2025 | Shalimar ↔ New Jalpaiguri | — | No Holi special operated |
🧭 Planning for Holi 2026
- If this service returns, expect announcements by Eastern / South Eastern Railway in Jan–Feb 2026.
- For more reliable travel:
- Consider booked trains like Howrah–NJP Express (13149/13150), Darjeeling Mail, or other reserved daily services.
- Book early—Tatkal and general quotas fill within minutes.
✅ Need Help With:
- Finding regular train schedules and availability between Kolkata/Shalimar and NJP.
- Exploring route alternatives or connecting services for Holi travel.
- Setting up alerts if Holi specials are announced in 2026.
Just let me know how you’d like to proceed!