Central Railway to Run 13 Pairs of Special Trains for Ganpati Festival Rush; Daily, Weekly and MEMU Services Announced
In a major relief for passengers travelling during the Ganpati Festival, Central Railway has announced the operation of 13 pairs of special trains connecting Mumbai, Konkan, Goa and Pune to manage the festive rush. The services include daily, weekly, five-days-a-week and MEMU special trains, offering thousands of additional seats on some of the busiest routes during the festival season.
The special train services will primarily operate between 11 September and 27 September 2026, covering popular destinations such as Sawantwadi Road, Ratnagiri, Madgaon, Khed and Chiplun. The initiative is expected to significantly ease congestion on regular Konkan Railway services, which witness heavy demand every year as devotees travel home for Ganesh Chaturthi.
Summary of Special Train Services
| Route | Frequency | Operating Period |
|---|---|---|
| Mumbai CSMT – Sawantwadi Road | Daily | 11–27 September |
| Lokmanya Tilak Terminus – Sawantwadi Road | Daily & Weekly | Various dates |
| Mumbai CSMT – Ratnagiri | Daily | 11–27 September |
| Diva – Khed MEMU | Daily | 11–27 September (except specified days) |
| Diva – Chiplun MEMU | Daily | 11–27 September (except specified days) |
| Lokmanya Tilak Terminus – Madgaon | Weekly | September |
| Lokmanya Tilak Terminus – Ratnagiri | Five days a week | 12–27 September |
| Pune – Ratnagiri | Weekly | Selected September dates |
Mumbai–Konkan Routes Receive Maximum Additional Services
The biggest boost has been given to passengers travelling between Mumbai and the Konkan region. Central Railway will operate multiple daily specials between Mumbai CSMT and Sawantwadi Road, besides additional services from Lokmanya Tilak Terminus.
The trains will halt at important Konkan stations including Dadar, Thane, Panvel, Pen, Roha, Mangaon, Khed, Chiplun, Ratnagiri, Rajapur Road, Vaibhavwadi Road, Kankavali, Sindhudurg, Kudal and Zarap, ensuring convenient connectivity for passengers travelling to coastal Maharashtra.
Ratnagiri and Goa Also Get Additional Trains
Apart from Sawantwadi Road, Central Railway has introduced several special services for Ratnagiri and Madgaon (Goa).
Daily specials between Mumbai CSMT and Ratnagiri will cater to heavy festival traffic, while weekly air-conditioned services from Lokmanya Tilak Terminus to Madgaon will provide improved connectivity to Goa during the festive season. Separate weekly Pune–Ratnagiri specials have also been planned to benefit passengers from western Maharashtra.
MEMU Specials for Local Connectivity
To strengthen regional travel, Central Railway has also announced two MEMU special services:
- Diva – Khed – Diva MEMU
- Diva – Chiplun – Diva MEMU
These trains will serve several intermediate stations including Nilje, Panvel, Pen, Roha, Mangaon, Veer, Karanjadi, Vinhere, Diwankhavati and Kalambani Budruk, providing additional transport options for local commuters and festival travellers.
Coach Composition
Most of the special trains will consist of 22 coaches, ensuring substantial additional capacity.
| Train Category | Typical Coach Composition |
|---|---|
| Mumbai–Sawantwadi/Ratnagiri Specials | 2 AC 3-Tier, 12 Sleeper, 6 General, 2 SLR |
| Madgaon Weekly Special | Up to 21/22 LHB coaches with First AC, AC 2-Tier, AC 3-Tier, Sleeper/General (depending on service) |
| Pune–Ratnagiri Weekly | 20 LHB coaches |
| MEMU Specials | 12 MEMU coaches |
Reservation Schedule
Central Railway has also announced staggered booking dates for the return services through Passenger Reservation System (PRS), the internet and the IRCTC website.
| Booking Opens | Train Numbers |
|---|---|
| 1 August 2026 | 01154, 01168, 01446, 01448 |
| 2 August 2026 | 01166, 01186 |
| 3 August 2026 | 01104, 01130, 01152, 01172, 01132 |
Festival Travel Relief
Ganesh Chaturthi is one of Maharashtra’s busiest travel seasons, with lakhs of passengers heading to their hometowns across the Konkan region every year. The operation of these 13 pairs of special trains is expected to significantly increase seat availability, reduce waiting lists and provide smoother travel for devotees during the festival period.
Passengers are advised to book tickets as soon as reservations open, as demand for Konkan-bound trains traditionally remains extremely high during the Ganpati Festival.
