A Major Boost for Festive Travel
To accommodate the surge in passenger demand for the upcoming Durga Puja, Diwali, and Chhath Puja festivals, Central Railway has rolled out a comprehensive plan involving 418 special train services. This initiative is designed to connect major urban centres
like Mumbai, Pune, and Nagpur with numerous destinations across the country, making it easier for people to travel home for the holidays. The special trains will operate throughout October and November 2026, a period that sees some of the highest passenger traffic of the year. According to officials, these services will originate from key terminals including Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT), Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (LTT), Pune, Hadapsar, and Nagpur.
Connecting Hubs to a Wide Network of Destinations
The 418 special services cover an extensive network, ensuring connectivity to high-demand states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka. From Mumbai, daily special trains are scheduled for Gorakhpur, along with weekly AC services to Chennai and superfast services to Nagpur. Other key routes from Mumbai's LTT include bi-weekly services to Mau and Banaras in Uttar Pradesh, as well as weekly trains to Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala and Madgaon in Goa. Pune and its adjacent station, Hadapsar, will also see a significant increase in services. Daily trains from Hadapsar to Gorakhpur are planned, along with bi-weekly services to Ghazipur City. Additionally, multiple weekly and bi-weekly trains will connect Nagpur with Pune (Hadapsar), and Pune with New Amravati.
Key Train Services and Schedules
Among the many services, several key routes have been detailed. The CSMT Mumbai-Gorakhpur daily special (01079/01080) will run from mid-October to mid-November. A weekly superfast special (02139/02140) will connect CSMT and Nagpur on Saturdays and Sundays respectively, from October 17 to November 22. For travellers heading south, a weekly AC special (01015/01016) will operate between CSMT Mumbai and Chennai Beach on Wednesdays and Thursdays. From the Pune area, a daily service (01415/01416) between Hadapsar and Gorakhpur will run from October 16 to November 17. Furthermore, services between Kolhapur and Kalaburagi will run almost daily, providing 64 trips to ease regional travel.
How to Book Your Tickets
Bookings for these festival special trains opened in staggered phases starting September 27 and 28, 2026. Passengers are strongly advised to book their tickets early due to the anticipated high demand. Tickets can be booked through all computerized Passenger Reservation System (PRS) counters and on the official IRCTC website and mobile app. For unreserved coaches, passengers can use the UTS mobile app. Authorities recommend checking the IRCTC portal for specific train numbers and their exact booking-opening dates, as these services operate with special fares.
Easing the Burden on Millions of Travellers
The introduction of these 418 special services is a crucial step towards ensuring safer and more comfortable journeys for the millions of people who travel during the festival season. By increasing capacity on high-density routes, Indian Railways aims to reduce the problem of long waiting lists on regular trains and provide a reliable alternative to other modes of transport, which often see significant price hikes during this period. This proactive measure not only helps manage the massive rush but also plays a vital role in reuniting families for the most important celebrations of the year.
