A Welcome Festive Season Special
To accommodate the surge in passenger demand during the upcoming Durga Puja, Diwali, and Chhath festivals, Central Railway has introduced a special weekly train service connecting Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) with Bengaluru’s Sir
M. Visvesvaraya Terminal (SMVT). This temporary service is designed specifically to ease the travel rush during October and November, a period when finding confirmed tickets on this popular route can be a significant challenge. The service will operate for a limited run, making seven trips in each direction, providing a crucial link for thousands of passengers planning their holiday travel.
Complete Schedule and Timings
The new service has been assigned train numbers 01013 for the journey from Mumbai to Bengaluru and 01014 for the return trip. Train no. 01013 (CSMT to SMVT) will depart from CSMT Mumbai at 12:35 AM every Saturday, starting from October 10 and running until November 21, 2026. It is scheduled to arrive at SMVT Bengaluru at 11:55 PM on the same day. For the return journey, train no. 01014 (SMVT to CSMT) will depart from SMVT Bengaluru at 4:30 AM every Sunday, from October 11 to November 22, 2026. This train will reach CSMT Mumbai at 4:05 AM the following day (Monday), completing the journey in just under 24 hours.
Route and Important Stoppages
One of the key advantages of this special service is its extensive list of halts, providing connectivity to numerous towns and cities across Maharashtra and Karnataka. After departing from CSMT, the train will make stops at major Mumbai suburban stations like Dadar and Thane before proceeding to Kalyan, Lonavala, and Pune. Further along the route, it will halt at important centres including Satara, Karad, Sangli, and Miraj in Maharashtra. Upon entering Karnataka, the key stoppages include Belagavi, Londa, Dharwad, SSS Hubballi, Davangere, and Tumakuru, before terminating at SMVT Bengaluru. This extensive route ensures that passengers from many intermediate locations can benefit from the service.
Coach Details and Onboard Comfort
This festive special is an all-AC service, designed for comfortable overnight travel. The train will comprise a total of 22 coaches. The configuration includes two AC 2-Tier coaches and a substantial number of 18 AC 3-Tier coaches. The remaining two coaches will be Luggage-cum-Guard-cum-Generator Vans. The emphasis on air-conditioned coaches makes it a comfortable option for the approximately 23-and-a-half-hour journey between the two metropolitan hubs. Passengers are advised to check for booking availability on the IRCTC website or app under the special trains category.
How This Helps Travellers
The introduction of this weekly special provides a significant capacity boost on a route that sees consistently high demand, especially during festival periods. It offers a direct and comfortable alternative to buses and flights, which often see fares surge during peak season. For travellers from cities like Pune, Hubballi, and Belagavi, this train provides another direct link to both Mumbai and Bengaluru, which is often a welcome addition. While this service is temporary, it is part of a larger effort by Indian Railways to run over 400 special services from Mumbai to various destinations to manage the festive rush. Travellers who may have missed out on tickets for regular trains now have another window of opportunity.
