A Major Boost in Services
To combat the overwhelming demand for tickets during the festival period of October and November, both Central and Western Railways have rolled out an extensive schedule of special train services. Central Railway alone has announced 418 special services,
connecting major Mumbai terminals like Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT), Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (LTT), and Bandra Terminus to destinations across the country. These trains are specifically designed to ease the burden on regularly scheduled services, which are often booked solid months in advance, providing a much-needed alternative for last-minute planners and families looking to travel together.
Connecting Mumbai to North India
A significant number of these special trains are targeted towards high-demand routes connecting Mumbai with Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, catering to the thousands who travel home for Chhath Puja. Western Railway has introduced several services from Mumbai Central and Bandra Terminus to destinations like Danapur, Gorakhpur, Subedarganj, Bhagalpur, and Mau. Key services include the weekly Bandra-Danapur Superfast Special and the bi-weekly Mumbai Central-Subedarganj Special. Similarly, Central Railway is running bi-weekly services from LTT to Mau and Banaras, as well as daily specials from Hadapsar to Gorakhpur, ensuring robust connectivity to the northern states.
Enhanced Connectivity to the South
Travellers heading south also have new options. Central Railway has launched weekly AC special services between CSMT Mumbai and Chennai Beach, operating from mid-October to mid-November. Another weekly special connects CSMT with Bengaluru, making seven trips in each direction between October 10 and November 22. For those travelling to Kerala, a weekly special service will run between LTT and Thiruvananthapuram North via the Konkan railway route, also catering to passengers heading towards Goa and other coastal destinations. These trains consist of a mix of AC 2-Tier, AC 3-Tier, and Sleeper Class coaches.
More Options Within Maharashtra and Beyond
Intra-state travel has also received a boost. A bi-weekly service between CSMT and Latur will make 26 trips between October 13 and November 24, stopping at key locations like Kalyan, Lonavala, and Pune. Additionally, weekly superfast services will connect CSMT with Nagpur and Kolhapur. Another notable addition is the near-daily service between Kolhapur and Kalaburagi, running six days a week (excluding Fridays) to enhance regional connectivity. These services provide crucial links for people travelling within Maharashtra for festival celebrations.
How to Book Your Tickets
Bookings for these special trains have already commenced, with reservation windows opening on September 27 and 28 for various services. Tickets can be booked through all computerised Passenger Reservation System (PRS) counters and online via the official IRCTC website (irctc.co.in) and mobile apps like RailOne. It is important to note that these trains operate with special charges, meaning fares may be higher than regular services. Given the high demand, railway authorities have advised passengers to book their tickets as early as possible and to travel only with valid, confirmed tickets to avoid any inconvenience. For real-time updates on schedules and halt timings, travellers can use the NTES portal.
