A Boost for Festive Travel
To cater to the surge in passenger demand during the upcoming Durga Puja, Diwali, and Chhath festivals, Central Railway has announced 418 special train services. These trains will connect key Mumbai terminals like Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus
(CSMT) and Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (LTT) with numerous destinations across the country. The services are scheduled to run primarily between October and November 2026, providing much-needed capacity for those travelling to their hometowns for the holidays. This initiative aims to ensure a more comfortable and seamless journey for thousands of passengers during one of the busiest travel periods of the year. Passengers are advised to check official railway sources for the most current information before planning their trips.
New Routes to North India
For passengers heading towards North India, several new services have been introduced. A daily special train will run between CSMT Mumbai and Gorakhpur. Train 01079 is scheduled to depart CSMT at 10:30 pm daily from October 16 to November 16, 2026. The return service, train 01080, will leave Gorakhpur daily between October 18 and November 18. This route includes major halts at stations like Kalyan, Nashik Road, Bhusaval, Itarsi, Bhopal, Jhansi, Kanpur Central, and Lucknow. Additionally, bi-weekly services have been announced between LTT and Banaras (trains 01051/01052) and LTT and Mau, further improving connectivity with Uttar Pradesh. These trains will stop at key junctions including Prayagraj Chheoki and Varanasi.
Enhanced Connectivity to the South
Southern states will also see improved connectivity from Mumbai. A weekly AC special train (01015) will operate between CSMT Mumbai and Chennai Beach every Wednesday from October 14 to November 18, 2026. This train will pass through important stations such as Pune, Solapur, Kalaburagi, and Renigunta. For those travelling to Karnataka, a weekly AC special service (01013) will connect CSMT Mumbai with SMVT Bengaluru every Saturday from October 10 to November 21. Key stops on this route include Pune, Miraj, Belagavi, Hubballi, and Davangere. Furthermore, Central Railway will run 12 weekly special services between LTT and Thiruvananthapuram North, catering to passengers travelling to Kerala via the Konkan route.
Strengthening Central India Links
Central India, particularly the Vidarbha region, also benefits from this announcement. A weekly superfast special service is set to run between CSMT and Nagpur. Train 02139 will depart from CSMT every Saturday between October 17 and November 21, 2026, with the return train (02140) leaving Nagpur every Sunday. Important halts on this line include Nashik Road, Manmad, Bhusaval, Akola, and Wardha, providing a direct and convenient option for travellers. In addition, bi-weekly special services between CSMT and Latur (trains 01105/01106) will run from October 13 to November 24, stopping at Pune, Daund, and Dharashiv, among other stations.
How to Book Your Tickets
Booking for these special festive trains is set to open in late September 2026. Passengers can reserve their seats through the official IRCTC website (irctc.co.in), the IRCTC Rail Connect mobile app, or at any computerized Passenger Reservation System (PRS) counter. Given the high demand expected during the festival season, travellers are strongly encouraged to book their tickets well in advance to secure their travel plans. It is also recommended to check the National Train Enquiry System (NTES) app or website for detailed timings, halt information, and any last-minute updates regarding these special services before heading to the station.
