A Welcome Relief for Festive Travellers
Every year, as Dussehra, Diwali, and Chhath Puja approach, millions of people based in Mumbai and its surrounding areas plan their trips back home. This creates an unprecedented demand for train tickets, particularly on routes to North and South India.
Regular train services are often booked solid months in advance, leaving many travellers in a lurch. To address this massive surge, both Central and Western Railway zones have introduced hundreds of special services. These trains are designed to connect Mumbai with high-demand destinations, ensuring more people can celebrate the festivals with their families.
Central Railway's Extensive Network
Central Railway (CR) has announced a significant number of 418 special services to cater to the festive demand. These trains will connect major Mumbai terminals like Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) and Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (LTT) with cities across the country. A key focus is on the heavily congested routes to Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. Daily special trains are scheduled between CSMT and Gorakhpur, running from mid-October to mid-November to clear the rush. Additionally, bi-weekly services have been introduced from LTT to Mau and Banaras. For travellers heading south, CR has launched weekly AC specials from CSMT to Chennai and Bengaluru, as well as services to Nagpur and Kolhapur within Maharashtra. A bi-weekly train between CSMT and Latur will also provide relief for regional commuters.
Western Railway Bolsters Key Routes
Western Railway (WR) is also stepping up its services, with a strong focus on destinations in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. Special trains will operate from Mumbai Central and Bandra Terminus to cities like Danapur, Gorakhpur, Subedarganj, and Bhagalpur. These services are crucial for the large population from these states working in Mumbai. WR has also extended the operations of the Dadar to Bhusaval weekly special train until late November, providing more options for travellers within Maharashtra. These trains, like others announced for the season, will run as special services with special fares to manage the operational costs associated with the increased frequency.
Key Destinations Covered
The combined effort from both railway zones ensures better connectivity to a wide range of destinations. For North India, special trains are now available for Gorakhpur, Banaras, Mau, Lucknow, and Subedarganj. For those travelling to South India, new services to Chennai and Bengaluru offer welcome alternatives. Within Maharashtra and to neighbouring states, trains to Latur, Kolhapur, Nagpur, and Kalaburagi will ease the passenger load. These routes are traditionally some of the most sought-after during the festive period, and the additional services are a direct response to passenger demand.
How to Book Your Ticket
Booking for these special trains has already commenced, and passengers are advised to act quickly as seats fill up fast. Tickets can be booked through the official IRCTC website (irctc.co.in), the IRCTC Rail Connect mobile app, and at all computerised Passenger Reservation System (PRS) counters. It is important to note that these trains are designated as 'special trains' and may have different fare structures. Authorities urge passengers to book only through official channels to avoid being duped by touts and to check the National Train Enquiry System (NTES) app for real-time updates on train schedules and statuses before their journey.
