Navigating the Annual Festival Rush
Every year, the months of October and November see an extraordinary surge in travel as millions head home to celebrate Diwali and Chhath Puja with their families. The Mumbai-Gorakhpur route is one of the most high-demand corridors in the country, with train
tickets often being fully booked months in advance. This leaves a large number of passengers on waitlists, hoping for last-minute confirmations. To address this predictable yet challenging situation, Indian Railways consistently introduces special train services to clear the extra rush and provide much-needed travel options for passengers. These 'festival special' trains are a lifeline for those working in metropolitan hubs like Mumbai, enabling them to make the important journey home.
CSMT to Gorakhpur Daily Special: Train 01079
Central Railway has announced the operation of Train No. 01079, a daily special service running from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) in Mumbai to Gorakhpur. This train is scheduled to run daily from October 16 to November 16, 2026. It will depart from CSMT at 10:30 PM every night and is scheduled to arrive in Gorakhpur at 10:00 AM on the third day of its journey, completing a total of 32 trips during this period. This daily service is a significant addition, providing consistent and reliable travel capacity throughout the peak festival month.
Return Journey: Gorakhpur to CSMT Daily Special 01080
For the return leg, passengers can book Train No. 01080, which will run from Gorakhpur to CSMT. This service will operate daily from October 18 to November 18, 2026. The train is scheduled to depart from Gorakhpur at 2:30 PM and will reach CSMT in Mumbai at 12:40 AM on the third day. Like its counterpart, this train will also complete 32 trips, ensuring that travelers have a confirmed option for their journey back to Mumbai after the festival celebrations conclude. The scheduling of these trains provides a convenient overnight journey for a significant portion of the trip.
Key Stops and Route Information
The 01079/01080 special express will make 19 important stops in both directions, benefiting passengers from multiple cities and towns across three states. Key halts include Dadar, Thane, Kalyan, Nashik Road, Manmad, Jalgaon, and Bhusaval in Maharashtra. The train will then proceed through Madhya Pradesh, stopping at major junctions like Khandwa, Itarsi, and Bhopal, before continuing to Bina, Virangana Lakshmibai Jhansi, and Orai. Upon entering Uttar Pradesh, crucial stops include Kanpur Central, Lucknow, Gonda, Mankapur, Basti, and Khalilabad before its final destination.
Coach Composition and Booking Details
To cater to a wide range of passengers, this special train will have a total of 22 coaches. The composition includes two 2AC coaches, four 3AC coaches, eleven Sleeper Class coaches, and five unreserved General Second Class coaches. Passengers are strongly advised to book their tickets well in advance to secure a berth. Bookings can be made through the official IRCTC website, the mobile app, or at computerised Passenger Reservation System (PRS) counters at railway stations. Given the high demand, travelers should monitor the booking portal regularly as seats are likely to be filled very quickly once reservations open.
