A Welcome Relief for Festive Travellers
Every year, millions of people travel from Mumbai to their hometowns to celebrate major festivals with their families. This mass movement of people, particularly towards destinations in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and southern states, puts immense pressure
on the railway network. Regular trains are often booked solid months in advance, leaving many in the lurch. To address this predictable yet massive demand, Indian Railways has announced a significant number of special train services for the 2026 festive period, encompassing Durga Puja, Diwali, and Chhath Puja. These additional services are designed to ease the burden on regular routes and provide much-needed travel options for last-minute planners and those who missed the initial booking window.
Central Railway's Extensive Special Services
Central Railway (CR) is leading the charge with a massive rollout of 418 special train services originating from key terminals like Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) and Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (LTT). These trains will connect Mumbai with a host of destinations across the country. A major focus is on the high-demand routes to North India. For instance, 64 daily services will run between CSMT and Gorakhpur from mid-October to mid-November. There will also be bi-weekly services from LTT to Banaras and Mau. For those heading south, CR has introduced weekly AC special services from CSMT to Chennai Beach and SMVT Bengaluru. Additional connections include weekly trains to Nagpur and Kolhapur, and bi-weekly services to Latur, ensuring better connectivity within Maharashtra and to neighboring states.
Key Routes and Destinations Covered
The primary goal of these special trains is to connect Mumbai with states that see the highest passenger traffic during the festive season. The new services will provide crucial links to cities in Uttar Pradesh like Gorakhpur, Lucknow, Banaras, and Kanpur. For travellers heading to Bihar and other eastern regions, the network of special trains aims to reduce the waitlists on popular routes. In the south, the AC specials to Bengaluru and Chennai offer comfortable travel options, with halts at major hubs like Pune, Solapur, Guntakal, and Renigunta. Within Maharashtra, the special services to Kolhapur, Latur, and Nagpur will cater to intra-state travel, making it easier for people to visit their families in different parts of the state.
Western Railway Adds More Options
While Central Railway has announced a large number of trains, Western Railway (WR) is also contributing by extending services on key routes. Notably, the weekly special train services between Dadar and Bhusaval have been extended until late November 2026 to accommodate the festive demand. In previous months, Western Railway had also announced special services for the Ganpati festival, connecting Mumbai with Thokur in Karnataka, demonstrating a consistent effort to manage seasonal rushes. Passengers are advised to monitor announcements from both railway zones, as more services could be added closer to the peak travel dates depending on demand.
How to Book Your Tickets
Booking for these special trains has already begun, with reservation windows opening on staggered dates in late September. Tickets can be booked through all computerised reservation centres and, most conveniently, via the official IRCTC website (irctc.co.in) and the IRCTC Rail Connect mobile app. It's crucial to note that these are special services and may be subject to special fare rules. Given the extremely high demand, tickets are likely to sell out very quickly. Prospective travelers should have their IRCTC accounts ready with passenger details pre-saved in the master list to expedite the booking process. Acting fast as soon as bookings open is the best strategy to secure a confirmed ticket for your festive journey.
