Ganpati Festival 2024: Indian Railways to Operate 342 Special Trains for Devotees

As the Ganesh Chaturthi approaches, the Indian Railways has announced a massive plan to cater to the surge in passengers traveling to the Konkan region. Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw revealed that a total of 342 special trains will be operated next month to accommodate the increased demand during the ten-day festival, set to begin on September 7, 2024.

This year, the Indian Railways has exceeded expectations by operating 42 more trains than the initial demand of 300. These special services are designed to help lakhs of devotees who travel from Mumbai to their native places in Konkan, ensuring a smoother and more convenient journey during the festive season.

Key Highlights of the Special Trains

1. Mumbai CSMT - Sawantwadi Road Special: Running daily between September 1-18, 2024, this train departs from Mumbai CSMT at 00:20 hrs and reaches Sawantwadi Road at 14:20 hrs on the same day. The return journey from Sawantwadi Road starts at 15:10 hrs, arriving in Mumbai CSMT at 03:45 hrs the following day.
2. Mumbai CSMT - Ratnagiri Special: Also running daily from September 1-18, 2024, this train departs from Mumbai CSMT at 11:30 hrs, reaching Ratnagiri at 20:10 hrs. The return leg begins at 04:00 hrs from Ratnagiri, arriving back in Mumbai CSMT at 13:30 hrs the same day.
3. Lokmanya Tilak (T) - Kudal Special: Running daily, this train departs Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (LTT) at 21:00 hrs and arrives in Kudal at 09:30 hrs the next day. The return journey from Kudal starts at 12:00 hrs, reaching LTT at 00:40 hrs the following day.
4. Lokmanya Tilak (T) - Sawantwadi Road Special: Departing from Lokmanya Tilak (T) at 08:20 hrs daily, this train reaches Sawantwadi Road at 21:00 hrs. The return journey leaves Sawantwadi Road at 22:20 hrs and arrives in Lokmanya Tilak (T) at 10:40 hrs the next day.
5. Diva Jn. - Chiplun MEMU Special: This daily service departs from Diva Jn. at 07:15 hrs, arriving in Chiplun at 14:00 hrs. The return journey starts at 15:30 hrs from Chiplun, reaching Diva Jn. at 22:50 hrs the same day.
6. Lokmanya Tilak (T) - Kudal Special (Tri-Weekly): Operating every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday, this train leaves Lokmanya Tilak (T) at 00:45 hrs, reaching Kudal at 12:30 hrs. The return trip departs Kudal at 16:30 hrs, arriving in Lokmanya Tilak (T) at 04:50 hrs the next day.
7. Lokmanya Tilak (T) - Kudal Special (Weekly): Running every Tuesday, this train departs Lokmanya Tilak (T) at 00:45 hrs and arrives in Kudal at 12:30 hrs. The return journey starts at 16:30 hrs from Kudal, reaching Lokmanya Tilak (T) at 04:50 hrs the following day.

Central Railway’s Ganesh Chaturthi Special Trains

In addition to these services, the Central Railway has announced 222 special trains for the Ganesh Chaturthi. These include:

• Mumbai-Ratnagiri Bi-weekly Special Train: Departing LTT Mumbai on September 6, 7, 13, and 14 at 08:00 hrs, and from Ratnagiri on September 7, 8, 14, and 15 at 08:40 hrs.
• Panvel-Ratnagiri Weekly Special Train: Departing Panvel on September 8 and 15 at 04:40 hrs, and from Ratnagiri on September 7 and 14 at 17:50 hrs.
• Pune-Ratnagiri Weekly Special Train: Departing Pune on September 7 and 14 at 00:25 hrs, and from Ratnagiri on September 8 and 15 at 17:50 hrs.

Reservations for these special trains opened on August 7, 2024, and are available through computerized reservation centers, the IRCTC website, and the NTES App.

Infrastructure Boost in Maharashtra

Alongside the announcement of these special trains, Minister Vaishnaw highlighted the ongoing infrastructure development in Mumbai's suburban network. A significant investment of ₹16,240 crores is underway, covering 12 major projects aimed at improving the suburban train network in Mumbai. These projects include new lines and extensions across various parts of the city, which are expected to provide substantial relief to daily commuters.

With these enhancements, the railways are not only addressing the immediate needs of Ganesh Chaturthi travelers but also laying the groundwork for long-term improvements in the state's transportation infrastructure.