Mumbai Western Railway has announced the operation of festival special trains across key routes from October 1 to November 30 to meet the surge in passenger demand during Durga Puja, Diwali, and Chhath Puja. The initiative aims to provide additional capacity on high-traffic corridors while maintaining the punctuality and efficiency of regular services. Bookings are now available at Passenger Reservation System (PRS) counters and on the IRCTC portal.
Officials explained that five pairs of festival special trains will cover crucial routes, including Bandra Terminus–Sanganer, Indore–Khadki, Indore–Hazrat Nizamuddin, Sabarmati–Patna, and Rajkot–Barauni. These services will offer AC 2-tier, AC 3-tier, and AC 3-tier (Economy) coaches, addressing the diverse travel preferences of passengers. The Bandra Terminus–Sanganer train, for instance, departs Bandra every Thursday evening at 4.45 pm, reaching Sanganer by the next afternoon, while the return journey leaves Sanganer every Friday at 4.50 pm. Halts en route include Borivali, Palghar, Vapi, Valsad, Surat, Vadodara, Ratlam, Kota, and Sawai Madhopur, among others.
Similarly, the Sabarmati–Patna weekly special will make 18 trips from October 1 to November 26, covering major stations such as Mahesana, Abu Road, Ajmer, Jaipur, Agra, Kanpur, Prayagraj, and Buxar. Indore–Khadki and Indore–Hazrat Nizamuddin trains are set to operate bi-weekly and weekly, with strategic halts across Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Maharashtra to balance connectivity with travel efficiency. The Rajkot–Barauni weekly special will connect western and eastern India, running 18 trips with stops at key junctions including Wankaner, Abu Road, Ajmer, Jaipur, Prayagraj, and Patliputra. Railway officials emphasised that the scheduling aims to maximise operational efficiency while catering to seasonal passenger peaks without adding strain to existing suburban and long-distance services.
Experts highlighted that festival specials are crucial in reducing travel congestion and ensuring passenger safety during peak periods. “These additional trains offer a structured and reliable solution to accommodate holiday travel demand, which typically spikes across North and West India during festive seasons,” said a senior Western Railway official. The initiative also underlines the railways’ commitment to sustainable travel. By promoting efficient rail-based mobility during peak times, officials aim to minimise dependence on road transport, reducing carbon emissions and contributing to eco-friendly, city-wide transit solutions.
Passengers are advised to book in advance, plan journeys according to announced schedules, and monitor official updates for any operational changes. Western Railway confirmed that all services will comply with safety and operational protocols, ensuring a smooth festive travel experience for commuters across the network.
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