A Timely Festive Service
To manage the anticipated surge in passenger traffic during the upcoming festival season, including Durga Puja, Diwali, and Chhath, Indian Railways has introduced a special weekly train service connecting two of India's major metropolitan hubs: Mumbai
and Bengaluru. This move by the Central Railway and South Western Railway is a significant relief for the thousands who travel this corridor for work, leisure, and family visits, especially during the holiday period when tickets are in high demand. The service is scheduled to run for a limited period, specifically from October to November 2026, making a total of seven trips in each direction to clear the festive rush.
Departure and Arrival Schedule
The new service has been assigned train numbers 01013 and 01014. From Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT), Train No. 01013 will depart every Saturday at 12:35 AM, starting from October 10 and running until November 21. It is scheduled to reach its destination, Sir M. Visvesvaraya Terminal (SMVT) in Bengaluru, at 11:55 PM on the same day. In the return direction, Train No. 01014 will depart from SMVT Bengaluru every Sunday at 4:30 AM, beginning October 11 and with its last run on November 22. The train will arrive at CSMT in Mumbai at 4:05 AM the following day (Monday). The total journey is expected to take approximately 23 hours and 30 minutes, providing an overnight option for travellers.
Route and Key Halts
Connecting numerous important towns across Maharashtra and Karnataka, the special train will make 24 designated stops along its route. This extensive list of halts ensures connectivity for passengers from several intermediate locations. Key stoppages include Dadar, Thane, Kalyan, Lonavala, and Pune in Maharashtra. As it proceeds into Karnataka, the train will halt at major junctions suchs as Belagavi, Londa, SSS Hubballi, Dharwad, Davangere, and Arsikere before terminating in Bengaluru. This route makes it a convenient option for a wide range of passengers beyond just those travelling end-to-end between the two capital cities.
Coach Composition and Travel Comfort
The train is designed to offer a comfortable journey, composed entirely of air-conditioned coaches. It will consist of a total of 22 coaches, which includes two AC 2-Tier coaches and a significant number of 18 AC 3-Tier coaches. The rake will also include two Luggage-cum-Guard-cum-Generator Vans. This all-AC composition positions the special service as a comfortable, premium option for long-distance overnight travel, which will be particularly welcomed by families travelling during the holidays. The focus on AC 3-Tier coaches addresses the high demand in this popular and relatively affordable air-conditioned class.
How to Book Your Tickets
Bookings for this special train service are expected to open shortly across all standard booking channels for Indian Railways. Passengers are advised to monitor the official IRCTC website, the mobile app, and authorized reservation counters for announcements on when booking will commence. Given that this is a special service operating during a peak travel season, it is anticipated that tickets will be in high demand and may be subject to dynamic fare pricing. Travellers are encouraged to plan their journey and book their tickets well in advance to secure their seats and avoid any last-minute hassles. Checking for the train by its number (01013 for Mumbai-Bengaluru and 01014 for Bengaluru-Mumbai) will be the easiest way to find and book it.
