Central Railway's Massive Boost
Central Railway (CR) has taken the lead by announcing a remarkable 418 special train services to connect Mumbai with high-demand destinations during October and November 2026. These services are crucial for lakhs of people who travel to their hometowns
to celebrate with their families. The special trains will depart from major terminals like Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) and Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (LTT), linking Mumbai with cities in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka. Bookings for most of these trains opened on September 27, 2026, and passengers are advised to book early.
Key Routes to North India
A significant portion of the festival crowd travels towards North India. To accommodate this, CR will run 64 daily special services between CSMT and Gorakhpur from mid-October to mid-November. Another 24 bi-weekly services will operate between LTT and Banaras, and LTT and Mau, providing vital connectivity for those heading to Uttar Pradesh. These routes are traditionally among the most sought-after during the festive period, and the additional services aim to reduce the strain on regular trains which often have long waiting lists.
Connecting to the South and Within Maharashtra
Travellers heading south also have more options. CR has announced weekly AC special services between CSMT and Chennai Beach (12 trips) and CSMT and SMVT Bengaluru (14 trips). These trains will pass through important hubs like Pune, Solapur, and Belagavi, offering comfortable travel. Within Maharashtra, connectivity is also being bolstered. A bi-weekly service with 26 trips will run between CSMT and Latur. Furthermore, weekly superfast services will connect CSMT with Nagpur, and a weekly train will link CSMT with Kolhapur, ensuring smoother travel within the state.
Western Railway Extends Services
Not to be left behind, Western Railway (WR) is also contributing by extending the operations of key special trains. The Dadar to Bhusaval weekly special service (Train 09049/09050) will now run until November 27, 2026. This extension provides additional capacity on a popular route within Maharashtra. WR has also introduced special services on other high-demand routes across its network, connecting major hubs in northern and western India to ease the holiday travel burden.
How to Book and Plan Your Journey
Booking for these festival special trains opened in late September across various platforms. Passengers can book tickets through the official IRCTC website, the RailOne mobile app, or at computerised reservation centres. It is important to note that these services operate as special trains on special fares, which may be higher than regular ticket prices. Given the immense demand, tickets are likely to sell out quickly. Travellers are advised to check the NTES app or the railway enquiry portal for real-time updates and detailed timings before starting their journey.
