Pune To Run Special Trains For Festive Weekend Rush
To accommodate the growing demand for rail travel during the Raksha Bandhan and Independence Day holiday period, Central Railway has announced a fleet of 18 special trains connecting Nagpur with key cities such as Mumbai, Pune, Goa, and Kolhapur. These trains aim to facilitate smoother passenger movement while easing the pressure on existing rail services during the extended festive window.
According to officials from the Central Railway’s operations division, six services will operate between Nagpur and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT), and six more between Pune and Nagpur. Additionally, four services will run between Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (LTT) and Madgaon, while two more will connect CSMT and Kolhapur.With bookings now open through the Passenger Reservation System (PRS) and online portals, passengers are being encouraged to plan ahead, as demand is expected to be high for these services. Fares will be treated under special train pricing slabs, with standard classes including AC, sleeper, and general compartments.The Nagpur–Mumbai CSMT services have been timed strategically. For instance, the August 9 departure from CSMT at 00:20 hrs will reach Nagpur the same day by 15:30 hrs. The return journey is set for August 10 at 14:30 hrs, arriving in Mumbai by 05:25 hrs the next day. Four additional services are slotted around August 15 and 17 to align with the national holiday. These trains will halt at multiple key junctions including Dadar, Thane, Nashik Road, and Bhusaval.
Meanwhile, the Pune–Nagpur route will see trains depart on August 8, 14, and 16 from Pune, reaching Nagpur by the next afternoon. Return trips are scheduled for August 10 and 17. These trains will facilitate travel from Maharashtra’s tech and industrial hubs to the Vidarbha region.Travellers from coastal and southern Maharashtra are also being catered to. Two CSMT–Kolhapur services will operate during the festive window. Further, the Mumbai–Goa corridor will benefit from four LTT–Madgaon trains running between August 14 and 17. These include extended halts at popular Konkan stops like Ratnagiri, Kankavli, and Sawantwadi.
Officials noted that these services not only address peak traffic during festive seasons but also support eco-efficient mass transit as part of Indian Railways’ broader sustainability goals. By reducing reliance on road transport during long weekends, these trains help curb emissions and encourage lower-carbon alternatives.The festive transport push highlights the role of railways in shaping equitable and sustainable urban connectivity. While challenges such as overbooking and passenger crowding persist, the move reflects a proactive approach to managing seasonal surges in intercity mobility.As India edges toward a cleaner mobility future, these special trains stand as timely interventions supporting both economic activity and environment-friendly public transport.
