What Are the New Extended Services?
To manage the increased travel demand, Central Railway (CR) has recently extended the operation of 216 special train services. This includes a mix of 150 daily special services and 66 weekly ones. The primary goal is to provide more options for passengers
on high-demand routes, particularly connecting Maharashtra with states like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. Key among these is the extension of the Pune-Danapur Daily Special (Train No. 01449/01450), which will now run until the end of September 2026. Additionally, several weekly special services, such as the Lokmanya Tilak Terminus–Kanpur route (Train No. 04152), have also been extended until late September. It's important to note that while the run dates are new, the train timings, routes, and scheduled stops remain unchanged.
New Routes and Ongoing Disruptions
Alongside the extensions, CR has also introduced new weekly express trains connecting Mumbai's Lokmanya Tilak Terminus with Hazur Sahib Nanded, which were inaugurated on July 6, 2026. However, travellers should be aware of significant disruptions, particularly in the Lonavala-Karjat ghat section. A major landslide has led to the cancellation and rescheduling of many prominent trains, including several Mumbai-Pune intercity services like the Deccan Queen and Deccan Express. While restoration work is underway, passengers are strongly advised to check the status of their train using the National Train Enquiry System (NTES) before starting their journey. These disruptions have also led to a massive number of refunds being processed by the railways.
A Guide for the Budget Traveller
For budget-conscious passengers, the most important part of these special trains are the unreserved coaches. The extended Pune-Danapur special, for instance, includes four General Second Class coaches and two Second Seating coaches, which are the cheapest options. Tickets for these unreserved coaches can be bought at the station or, more conveniently, through the UTS (Unreserved Ticketing System) mobile app. This app allows you to buy tickets without standing in long queues, a huge advantage during peak travel seasons. You simply need to download the app, register with your mobile number, and you can book paperless tickets for your journey. Be aware that paperless tickets must be booked near the station and the journey must start within an hour.
Booking Reserved and Unreserved Tickets
For reserved seats in Sleeper or AC coaches on these special trains, booking is done through the IRCTC website or app. Bookings for the recently extended services began on July 5, 2026. For unreserved travel, the UTS app is your best friend. After downloading and registering, you can select your start and end stations to get the fare and book the ticket. You can pay using the built-in R-Wallet, UPI, or other digital payment methods. Once booked, the ticket is stored in the app, and you can use the 'Show Ticket' option when asked by the ticket checker. This saves time and paper, and is perfect for last-minute travel plans.
Don't Forget the Rules
While these new services offer more options, Indian Railways has also become stricter with rules. As of July 1, 2026, the penalties for ticketless travel have been significantly increased. The minimum fine is now Rs 500 plus the fare, up from Rs 250 previously. This change is part of a broader revision of rules aimed at replacing criminal proceedings for minor offences with higher civil penalties. Therefore, it's more important than ever to have a valid ticket. Whether you're booking a reserved seat on IRCTC or a last-minute unreserved ticket on the UTS app, ensure your travel is properly documented to avoid hefty fines.
