A Welcome Relief for Festive Travellers
Every year, as Dussehra, Diwali, and Chhath Puja approach, securing a confirmed train ticket from Mumbai to hometowns across India becomes a monumental task. The demand far outstrips the supply on regular services, leaving millions of hopeful travellers
on long waiting lists. To address this perennial issue, both Central Railway and Western Railway have announced a significant number of special trains, aiming to provide a more comfortable and seamless journey for those heading home for the holidays. Central Railway alone has announced 418 special services to connect Mumbai with destinations across the country.
Central Railway's Extensive Network
Central Railway (CR) is leading the charge with a robust schedule of special trains originating from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) and Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (LTT). These services will cater to the heavy traffic towards northern and southern states. Key routes include daily specials to Gorakhpur, bi-weekly services to Mau and Banaras, and weekly AC specials to Chennai and Bengaluru. For instance, daily trains will run between CSMT and Gorakhpur from mid-October to mid-November. There will also be weekly AC services connecting CSMT with Chennai Beach and SMVT Bengaluru, catering to passengers heading to Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. Additional services from Mumbai will also run to destinations in Kerala and Goa, running through the Konkan route.
Connecting Maharashtra and Beyond
The special services are not limited to just the major metro connections. Central Railway has also planned several weekly trains within Maharashtra and to neighbouring states. These include special trains between CSMT and Nagpur, as well as CSMT and Kolhapur. A bi-weekly special between CSMT and Latur has also been introduced to serve regional commuters, with 13 trips scheduled in each direction between October and November. Furthermore, services originating from other key cities in the state like Pune and Nagpur will connect to destinations such as Amravati and Ghazipur City, ensuring wider connectivity for the entire region.
Focus on High-Demand Northern Routes
A significant portion of the festival rush from Mumbai is directed towards Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. Recognizing this, Central Railway has rolled out multiple services for this corridor. Daily special trains will connect CSMT and Hadapsar with Gorakhpur. Additionally, bi-weekly trains from LTT to Mau and Banaras will provide much-needed extra capacity. These trains are scheduled to stop at major stations like Kanpur Central, Lucknow, Prayagraj Chheoki, and Varanasi, ensuring comprehensive coverage across the popular northern belt. These measures are specifically designed to handle the peak demand during the Diwali and Chhath Puja period.
How to Book Your Tickets
Booking for these festival special trains has already commenced, with dates staggered from late September. Passengers are strongly advised to book their tickets as early as possible to secure a seat. Bookings can be made through all computerized Passenger Reservation System (PRS) counters and online via the official IRCTC website (irctc.co.in). For added convenience, tickets can also be booked through the RailOne mobile app. Railway authorities have noted that these trains will run as special services with special fare structures. Travellers are encouraged to check for real-time updates on schedules and halt timings on the NTES portal before their journey.
