Mumbai LTT to Banaras Special Trains for Diwali & Chhath
To manage the massive passenger surge during the upcoming festive season, Indian Railways has unveiled a series of special train services connecting Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (LTT) in Mumbai and Banaras. These services are specifically designed to assist travelers during Navratri, Durga Puja, Diwali, and Chhath Puja.
Detailed Schedule for Puja Special (05167/05168)
The North Central Railway has issued a revised schedule for the Banaras-LTT Puja Special (05167/05168). This service is set to operate for eight trips to accommodate the holiday rush. From LTT, the trains will run between October 17 and November 28, 2026. For passengers traveling from the Banaras side, the service will operate from October 18 to November 29, 2026.
The specific timing for Train 05168 is as follows:
- Departure from Mumbai LTT: 6:10 PM
- Arrival at Banaras: 12:50 AM
- Total Journey Duration: 30 hours and 40 minutes
Bi-Weekly and Other Special Services
In addition to the Puja Special, 24 bi-weekly special services (01051/01052) have been announced to provide more travel options. These trains will depart from LTT every Wednesday and Thursday, while departures from Banaras will take place every Thursday and Friday.
Other notable services include:
- 01073 LTT-Banaras Special: Covers a total distance of 1,707 km.
- 12167 Mumbai LTT-Banaras Superfast Express: A daily service covering 1,500 km.
- 01071 Special Service: Covers 1,646 km with 36 stops, completing the journey in 29 hours and 40 minutes.
Key Stops and Route Information
The special services between Mumbai and Banaras will pass through several major junctions, ensuring connectivity for various regions. The primary stops on this route include:
- Thane and Kalyan Junction
- Igatpuri and Nashik Road
- Bhusawal Junction and Burhanpur
- Khandwa Junction and Itarsi Junction
- Jabalpur, Katni, and Maihar
- Satna and Manikpur Junction
- Prayagraj Chheoki and Varanasi
Railway authorities have advised all passengers to verify the latest station-wise timings and operational details via the National Train Enquiry System (NTES) or by contacting the railway helpline at 139 before commencing their journey.