Indian Railways is preparing additional train services for passengers travelling during the Dussehra and Diwali festive season. A series of special trains will operate on key routes, offering additional options for passengers heading to their hometowns.
According to news agency ANI, the special services will connect important destinations including Mumbai, Chennai, Latur, Kolhapur and Kalaburagi. Together, these trains will make 102 trips.
Bookings for the festival special trains will open on September 27 through computerized reservation centres, the IRCTC website and the RailOne app.
Mumbai–Chennai Special Train
A weekly special train will operate between Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) in Mumbai and Chennai.
The Mumbai–Chennai service will run from October 14 to November 18, making six trips in each direction. It will leave Mumbai at 12:35 a.m. every Wednesday and arrive in Chennai at 11:30 p.m. the same day.
The return Chennai–CSMT service will operate every Thursday from October 15 to November 19. It will depart Chennai at 4:00 a.m. and reach Mumbai at 4:00 a.m. the following day.
The train will stop at several important stations, including Dadar, Thane, Kalyan, Lonavala, Pune, Daund, Solapur, Kalaburagi, Wadi, Raichur, Mantralayam Road, Guntakal, Renigunta, Arakkonam and Perambur.
Mumbai–Latur and Kolhapur–Kalaburagi Services
Indian Railways will also run a Mumbai–Latur special train twice a week. The service will operate between CSMT Mumbai and Latur from October 13 to November 24, with 13 trips in each direction.
The train will run every Tuesday and Thursday and will stop at stations including Dadar, Thane, Kalyan, Lonavala, Pune, Daund, Kurduwadi, Barshi Town, Dharashiv and Harangul.
A major share of the additional services has been planned for the Kolhapur–Kalaburagi route, which will receive 64 trips in total. The special train will operate daily except Fridays from October 10 to November 15, with 32 trips in each direction.
The Kolhapur–Kalaburagi train will leave Kolhapur at 6:10 a.m. and arrive in Kalaburagi at 4:10 p.m. The return service will depart Kalaburagi at 6:10 p.m. and reach Kolhapur at 5:40 a.m. the next day.
Its scheduled stops include Hatkanangale, Jaysingpur, Miraj Junction, Arag, Belanki, Sulgare, Kavathe Mahankal, Langarpeth, Dhalgaon, Mhasoba Dongargaon, Jawale, Vasud, Sangola, Pandharpur, Modnimb, Kurduwadi Junction, Solapur and Kalaburagi Junction.
Booking Details and Passenger Advisory
Reservations for these festive special trains will be available at computerized reservation centres as well as through the IRCTC website and RailOne app from September 27. The services will be offered at special fares.
Passengers should carry a valid ticket while travelling and check the latest train timings, route and stoppage details before departure. Railway passengers can use the railway enquiry system, NTES and the RailOne app for updated information.
The Solapur Division said the additional services have been introduced to manage the expected increase in passenger demand during the festive period, when intercity and long-distance travel generally rises around Dussehra and Diwali.
Disclaimer
Train timings, stoppages, availability, fares and operating schedules may be changed by Indian Railways. Passengers should verify the latest information through official railway enquiry services, NTES, the IRCTC website or the RailOne app before travelling.