Central Railway has officially announced the operation of 246 Ganpati Special Trains to accommodate the massive passenger surge during the 2026 Ganesh Utsav. The festival, which spans from September 14 to September 23, 2026, typically sees thousands of devotees traveling from Mumbai and Pune to their hometowns in the Konkan region and Goa. To ensure a smooth travel experience, these special services will operate between September 11 and September 27, 2026.
- Total of 246 special trains announced for the festival period.
- 184 mixed special trains (AC, Sleeper, and Unreserved) and 62 fully unreserved trains.
- Services originating from CSMT, LTT, Pune, and Diva.
- Reservations open in phases starting August 1, 2026.
Strategic Connectivity for Konkan Travelers
Central Railway’s Chief Public Relations Officer, Dr. Swapnil Nila, confirmed that these trains are designed to connect major hubs like Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT), Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (LTT), Pune, and Diva to key destinations including Sawantwadi Road, Ratnagiri, Khed, Chiplun, Madgaon, Kudal, and Karmali. This proactive initiative follows requests made by Members of Parliament Dr. Shrikant Shinde and Naresh Mhaske to Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw to ensure adequate transport facilities for the festive season.
Booking Schedule and Reservation Details
Passengers planning their travel should note that bookings for reserved coaches will be available through the IRCTC website, mobile app, and PRS counters. To manage the high demand, the railway has implemented a phased booking schedule:
August 1, 2026: Bookings open for train numbers 01153, 01445, 01167, and 01447.
August 2, 2026: Bookings open for train numbers 01165 and 01185.
August 3, 2026: Bookings open for train numbers 01103, 01129, 01151, 01171, and 01131.
For those opting for unreserved travel, tickets will be available at standard fares via the UTS app. Passengers are strongly advised to keep track of real-time updates regarding specific timings and scheduled stoppages by visiting the National Train Enquiry System (NTES) app or the official website at enquiry.indianrail.gov.in. Early planning is recommended as these special services fill up quickly during the peak festival rush.