Banaras–Lokmanya Tilak Terminus Puja Special Train to Run for 8 Trips from October 17
The North Central Railway has announced a revised operating schedule for the Banaras–Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (LTT) Puja Special train, aimed at meeting the expected increase in passenger demand during the festive season. The special service will connect Banaras and Mumbai’s Lokmanya Tilak Terminus through major stations across Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra.
According to a press release issued on September 29, 2026, the railway administration has revised the operating period of train numbers 05167/05168. The LTT–Banaras special train (05167/05168) will operate for eight trips in each direction.
The Lokmanya Tilak Terminus–Banaras special train will operate from Saturday, October 17, 2026, to Saturday, November 28, 2026, with eight trips. In the reverse direction, the Banaras–Lokmanya Tilak Terminus special will run from Sunday, October 18, 2026, to Sunday, November 29, 2026, also completing eight trips.
Route and Major Stations
The special train will provide connectivity between Mumbai and eastern Uttar Pradesh via several important railway stations. The route includes Thane, Kalyan, Igatpuri, Nashik, Bhusawal, Burhanpur, Khandwa, Itarsi, Jabalpur, Katni, Maihar, Satna, Manikpur, Prayagraj Chheoki, Varanasi and Banaras, among other stations.
The service is expected to provide an additional travel option for passengers travelling during the Puja and festive period, when demand for long-distance rail services generally increases.
LTT–Banaras Special: Key Timings
Train 05168, originating from Lokmanya Tilak Terminus, will depart at around 9:50 AM on Saturday and proceed towards Banaras. Major scheduled timings include:
| Station | Arrival/Departure |
|---|---|
| Lokmanya Tilak Terminus | 9:50 AM |
| Thane | 10:06–10:08 AM |
| Kalyan | 10:32–10:35 AM |
| Igatpuri | 2:15–2:20 PM |
| Nashik | 2:40–2:45 PM |
| Bhusawal | Evening |
| Khandwa | Night |
| Itarsi | Early morning |
| Jabalpur | Morning |
| Katni | Afternoon |
| Maihar | Afternoon |
| Satna | Afternoon |
| Manikpur | Evening |
| Prayagraj Chheoki | Night |
| Varanasi | Around midnight |
| Banaras | Around 12:50 AM |
Passengers have been advised to check the National Train Enquiry System (NTES) for the latest station-wise timings before undertaking their journey, as timings may vary depending on operational requirements.
Coach Composition
The special service will have a substantial passenger-carrying capacity. The announced rake composition includes one SLR/D coach, five general coaches, six sleeper-class coaches, two economy coaches and four AC 3-tier coaches, taking the total composition to approximately 22 coaches.
The railway administration has advised passengers to use Railway Helpline 139 for detailed information, assistance and enquiries related to the special train.
Additional Festive Connectivity
The introduction of the special service comes ahead of the major festive travel period, when large numbers of passengers travel between Mumbai, Uttar Pradesh and other states. By operating additional services between Lokmanya Tilak Terminus and Banaras, Indian Railways is providing an additional travel option on the busy long-distance corridor.
The revised schedule is part of the railway administration’s preparations for managing the seasonal surge in passenger traffic. Travellers are advised to confirm their train number, journey date, boarding station, reservation status and latest timetable through NTES or official railway enquiry channels before departure.
The railway has also requested passengers to avoid relying on unofficial timetable information and to use the National Train Enquiry System for the most current operational details.
