Train Seats Unavailable for Next 2 Months Due to School Holidays

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Heavy Passenger Demand During Winter Break

Indian Railways is facing an intense rush during the winter season as schools across several states have announced long holidays. Due to this surge in travel demand, confirmed seats on many long-distance trains will not be available for the next two months, causing concern among passengers planning journeys to major cities.

According to railway officials, routes connecting Howrah, Dehradun, Lucknow, Prayagraj, Indore, Mumbai, and Udaipur are witnessing extremely high booking pressure, especially in sleeper and AC classes.

Howrah and Dehradun Routes Most Affected

The worst impact has been observed on the Howrah route, where sleeper class seats are fully booked till February 22, while AC Economy (3E) availability has also dried up for several weeks.

Similarly, on the Dehradun route, no confirmed seats are available in AC classes until January 17, and sleeper class bookings remain heavily waitlisted.

Railway sources say that trains operating between Rajasthan, Gujarat, Bihar, West Bengal, and Uttarakhand are running at near-full capacity due to students and families travelling during the holiday season.

List of Routes Facing Long Waiting Periods

Passengers travelling from Alwar and nearby stations towards eastern and northern India are likely to face difficulties. Trains such as Garib Rath Express, Uttaranchal Express, Ranikhet Express, Prayagraj Express, Indore Express, and Mumbai Express are showing long waiting lists.

Railway booking data indicates that:

Sleeper class availability is limited until late February
AC classes are booked several weeks in advance
Tatkal tickets are also clearing quickly due to excess demand

Advisory for Passengers

Indian Railways has advised passengers to:

Plan journeys well in advance
Regularly check IRCTC for cancellations
Consider alternate routes or travel dates
Avoid last-minute bookings during peak holiday periods

Railway officials are also reviewing passenger demand and may introduce special trains if congestion continues.

Why This Rush Happens Every Year

Every year, the winter school vacation leads to a sharp rise in long-distance travel. Families, students, and migrant workers prefer train travel due to affordability, which puts immense pressure on limited seat availability.

Indian Railways stated that despite running trains at maximum capacity, seat demand currently exceeds supply, especially on popular inter-state routes.