Connecting to the Heartland: Uttar Pradesh and Bihar
A major focus of the festive schedule is enhancing connectivity to Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, catering to the huge demand for Chhath Puja. Central Railway will run 64 daily special services between Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) Mumbai and Gorakhpur.
Train 01079 is scheduled to depart CSMT daily at 10:30 pm from October 16 to November 16. The return journey, train 01080, will leave Gorakhpur daily from October 18 to November 18. These trains will stop at major hubs like Dadar, Kalyan, Nashik, Bhusaval, Itarsi, Bhopal, Jhansi, Kanpur Central, and Lucknow. Additionally, bi-weekly services have been announced between Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (LTT) and cities like Mau and Banaras, providing further options for travellers heading to eastern UP.
South-Bound Specials: Chennai and Bengaluru
For those travelling south, new weekly AC special services are a welcome addition. A service between CSMT Mumbai and SMVT Bengaluru will see 14 weekly trips. Train 01013 will leave Mumbai on Saturdays from October 10 to November 21, with the return train 01014 departing Bengaluru on Sundays. This route includes important stops like Pune, Satara, Miraj, Belagavi, and Hubballi. Similarly, 12 weekly AC special services will operate between CSMT and Chennai Beach. Train 01015 is set to leave Mumbai every Wednesday from October 14 to November 18. The return service, 01016, will depart from Chennai on Thursdays. The route covers key stations such as Pune, Solapur, Guntakal, and Renigunta.
Within Maharashtra: Latur, Nagpur and Kolhapur
Intra-state travel has also received a boost. Central Railway will run 26 bi-weekly services connecting CSMT Mumbai with Latur between October 13 and November 24. These trains, numbered 01105 from Mumbai and 01106 from Latur, will run on Tuesdays and Thursdays, halting at Kalyan, Lonavala, and Pune, among other stations. For travellers heading to Nagpur, a weekly superfast special (02139) will depart from CSMT every Saturday from October 17 to November 21. This train will stop at Nashik Road, Manmad, Jalgaon, and Akola. Furthermore, 12 weekly special services are scheduled between CSMT and Kolhapur, running every Thursday from mid-October.
Konkan Routes for Ganeshotsav
While many announcements focus on Diwali, Western Railway had earlier launched special trains for the Ganeshotsav period in September. These services were designed to connect Mumbai with the Konkan region, which sees a massive influx of travellers. Services were introduced from Mumbai Central and Bandra Terminus to destinations like Thokur (near Mangaluru), Sawantwadi Road, and Ratnagiri. For instance, a weekly special between Mumbai Central and Thokur began its run in mid-September. Though primarily for Ganesh Chaturthi, checking for extended runs or similar services is advisable for travellers planning trips along the scenic Konkan coast.
Booking Your Tickets: What You Need to Know
Bookings for many of these special trains opened on September 27. Passengers can reserve their seats through all Passenger Reservation System (PRS) counters and online via the IRCTC website or the official RailOne mobile app. Given the high demand during the festive period, tickets are expected to sell out quickly. It is highly recommended to book your travel as early as possible. For detailed timings, platform information, and updates on specific train halts, passengers should check the National Train Enquiry System (NTES) app or website before their journey.
