A Timely Festive Announcement
To manage the expected increase in passenger traffic during the Durga Puja, Diwali, and Chhath festivals, Indian Railways has introduced a special train service between two of India's major metropolitan hubs: Mumbai and Bengaluru. The service, operated
by Central Railway, aims to provide a much-needed travel option for the thousands who journey between the financial capital and the IT hub during the busiest time of the year. According to Dr Manjunath Kanamadi, Chief Public Relations Officer of South Western Railway (SWR), these special trains will make a total of seven trips in each direction. This initiative will temporarily enhance connectivity on a high-demand route, offering relief to passengers planning their festive travel.
Schedule and Timings
The new service will operate under train numbers 01013 from Mumbai to Bengaluru and 01014 for the return journey. Train number 01013 will depart from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) in Mumbai at 12:35 AM every Saturday, beginning on October 10 and running until November 21, 2026. It is scheduled to arrive at Sir M. Visvesvaraya Terminal (SMVT) in Bengaluru at 11:55 PM on the same day. For the return journey, train number 01014 will depart from SMVT Bengaluru at 4:30 AM every Sunday, starting from October 11 and continuing until November 22, 2026. This train will reach CSMT Mumbai at 4:05 AM the following day. The total travel time for this route is estimated to be approximately 23 hours and 30 minutes.
Route and Key Stoppages
The train's route is designed to connect several important towns and cities across Maharashtra and Karnataka, benefiting a wide range of passengers. The service will make 24 designated stops between Mumbai and Bengaluru. Key stations on this route include Dadar, Thane, Kalyan, Lonavala, and Pune in Maharashtra. After crossing into Karnataka, the train will halt at major junctions such as Belagavi, Londa, SSS Hubballi, Dharwad, Davangere, and Tumakuru before reaching its final destination. This extensive list of stoppages ensures that travellers from various regional centres have direct access to this special festive service, improving connectivity throughout the corridor.
Coach Composition and Amenities
The special train is configured to cater to passengers seeking comfortable, air-conditioned travel. Each train will consist of 22 coaches. This includes two AC 2-Tier coaches and a large complement of 18 AC 3-Tier coaches, which form the bulk of the passenger capacity. The remaining two coaches will be Luggage-cum-Guard-cum-Generator Vans. This fully air-conditioned rake is designed to provide a comfortable journey for passengers undertaking the long-distance trip between the two state capitals. Passengers are advised to book their tickets in advance through official railway channels due to the anticipated high demand during the festival period.
Future of Mumbai-Bengaluru Rail Travel
While this special train addresses immediate festive demand, travellers can also look forward to more permanent upgrades on this corridor. The highly anticipated Vande Bharat Sleeper service between Mumbai and Bengaluru has been approved by Indian Railways and is expected to significantly reduce travel time to around 13-14 hours. This modern, overnight service will offer a premium, high-speed alternative to existing trains, which often take 20 to 24 hours. Although the launch date for the Vande Bharat Sleeper has not been finalized, with some delays reported, its eventual introduction will mark a major milestone in rail connectivity between India's financial and tech capitals. For now, the new bi-weekly express and these festive specials provide essential capacity on this vital route.
