A Welcome Relief for Festive Travellers
Every year, the months of October and November see a massive exodus of people from Mumbai, as they travel to their hometowns to celebrate with family. This surge in demand often leads to overbooked trains and long waiting lists, making travel a significant
challenge. To manage this anticipated rush, both Central Railway and Western Railway have introduced hundreds of special services. These trains aim to provide confirmed berths to as many passengers as possible, ensuring smoother and more comfortable journeys during this peak travel period. The announcements cover high-demand routes, particularly those connecting Mumbai to Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and southern states.
Central Railway's Extensive Network
Central Railway (CR) has taken the lead by announcing 418 special train services to cater to the festive demand. These trains will operate from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) and Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (LTT), connecting Mumbai with numerous destinations across the country. For passengers heading to Uttar Pradesh, CR will run daily special trains between CSMT and Gorakhpur, operating from mid-October to mid-November. Additionally, there will be bi-weekly services from LTT to Mau and Banaras. To cater to passengers traveling within Maharashtra and to the south, CR has scheduled weekly superfast specials between CSMT and Nagpur, weekly AC services to Bengaluru and Chennai, and bi-weekly services to Latur and Kolhapur. These services will run on specific days of the week between early October and late November.
Western Railway Bolsters Key Routes
Western Railway (WR) is also contributing to the festive fleet, with a focus on high-demand routes to North India. Special services will connect Mumbai Central and Bandra Terminus with cities in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, which see a heavy influx of travelers for Diwali and Chhath Puja. WR has also extended the operational period of some existing special trains, such as the Dadar-Bhusaval weekly service, until the end of November to accommodate the prolonged festive season. These trains will offer a mix of coach classes, including AC 2-Tier, AC 3-Tier, Sleeper, and General unreserved coaches, providing options for various budgets. The focus is on clearing the extra rush and providing confirmed travel options for the millions planning their festive journey home.
Major Destinations Covered
The combined effort from both railway zones ensures enhanced connectivity to a wide array of destinations. For those traveling to North India, key cities like Gorakhpur, Banaras, Mau, Patna, and Chhapra will be more accessible. Within Maharashtra, special services will improve connections to Nagpur, Kolhapur, and Latur. For passengers journeying to the southern states, the new services provide direct links to major hubs like Chennai and Bengaluru. The routes have been planned to include major halts like Pune, Nashik, Bhopal, Kanpur, Lucknow, Solapur, and Guntakal, ensuring comprehensive coverage across the country's rail network.
How to Book Your Tickets
Bookings for these special festive trains have already commenced, with slots opening in late September. Passengers are advised to book their tickets as early as possible given the high demand. Tickets can be booked through the official IRCTC website (irctc.co.in), the IRCTC Rail Connect app, and at all computerised Passenger Reservation System (PRS) counters at railway stations. The railways have clarified that these services will run as 'special trains on special charges,' meaning fares may be slightly higher than usual. Travellers should also check the NTES portal or app for real-time updates on train schedules and running status before beginning their journey.
