418 Festive Specials: Central Railway to Link Mumbai, UP, Bihar & South India!
Central Railway is gearing up to handle the massive passenger surge expected during the upcoming festive season. To ensure smooth travel during Durga Puja, Diwali, and Chhath, the railway administration has announced the operation of 418 special train services.
Under the guidance of Chief Public Relations Officer Dr. Swapnil Nila, these services will depart from major hubs including CSMT, Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (LTT), Pune, Hadapsar, and Nagpur. This massive deployment is part of a broader national effort to provide seamless connectivity across the country.
Travel Window and Booking Details
The festive special trains are scheduled to run between October 1 and November 30, 2026, with some services continuing into December to accommodate late travelers.
- Reservation Opening: Booking will be released in two phases, starting on September 27 and September 28, 2026.
- Where to Book: Passengers can secure their seats through the official IRCTC website or at any computerized reservation center.
Major Routes: Connecting Mumbai to North India
A significant portion of the special trains is dedicated to connecting Maharashtra with the high-demand regions of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.
High-Frequency Services to Gorakhpur
To cater to the massive rush toward Gorakhpur, the following services have been scheduled:
- CSMT Mumbai to Gorakhpur: 64 daily services (Train 01079 departing October 16–November 16; Train 01080 returning October 18–November 18).
- Hadapsar to Gorakhpur: 64 dedicated services.
Additional Northern Connectivity
- LTT to Varanasi and Sultanpur: 16 additional trains will operate from Lokmanya Tilak Terminus.
- Mumbai Central to Katihar: A weekly service (Train 09189) will provide vital links.
- Other Destinations: Special services are also planned for Ghazipur City.
Connecting the South and West
For travelers heading to the southern states or western coastal regions, several AC and bi-weekly options are available:
Southbound AC Specials
- CSMT to Chennai Beach: 12 weekly AC special services.
- CSMT to Bengaluru (Sri M Visvesvaraya Terminal): 14 weekly AC special services.
- Southern Links: Services will also extend to Thiruvananthapuram.
Western and Central Links
- Mumbai to Latur: 26 bi-weekly services.
- Coastal Connectivity: Services to Madgaon and Kalaburagi.
- Maharashtra Local Links: Services to New Amravati.
Superfast Special Services
To assist commuters within Maharashtra and on long-distance routes, specialized superfast trains will operate as follows:
- Nagpur to Pune: Trains 01209, 01210, and 01202.
- Nagpur to CSMT: Train 02140.
This massive undertaking is part of a larger national initiative that includes 1,053 special trips by North Central Railway, ensuring that passengers traveling to destinations like Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Goa have reliable transport during the holidays.