The Central Railway in India is gearing up for the upcoming Ganesh Chaturthi festival by launching 202 special trains to accommodate the expected surge in travelers. These trains will commence operations on September 1st, and bookings are set to open on July 21st, according to Swapnil Dhanraj Nila, Central Railway’s Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO).
Among the special trains, 18 trips are scheduled from Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST) to Sawantwadi. These trains will depart CST at 12:30 am and reach Sawantwadi the following day at 12 pm. Similarly, 18 trips are planned between CST and Ratnagiri, with trains leaving CST at 11:30 am and arriving in Ratnagiri at 8 pm. The return journeys from Ratnagiri will commence at 4:30 am and reach CST at 11:30 am.
To cater to specific demand, one special train will run from Diva to Chiplun. This train will depart Diva at 7:15 am and reach Chiplun at 2 pm. The return journey will begin from Chiplun at 3:30 pm. These special trains will operate from September 1st to September 18th. Notably, certain trains, including those from Lokmanya Tilak terminus to Udala, will operate on specific days – Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
In addition to the railway services, the Maharashtra government has also announced special support measures ahead of the Ganesh Chaturthi festival. The cabinet decided to provide milk producers in Maharashtra with a subsidy of ₹5 per liter for milk export and ₹30 per kg for milk powder export. Furthermore, the government has approved the ‘Anandacha shidha’ package, offering a ₹100 food package for ration card holders during the festival.
Ganesh Chaturthi, a 10-day celebration commemorating the birth of Lord Ganesha, is set to begin on Friday, September 6th, at 03:01 pm and conclude on Tuesday, September 10th, at 05:37 p.m. This auspicious occasion is marked by elaborate rituals and offerings, including the revered Shodashopachara Puja, a sixteen-step worship ceremony dedicated to Lord Ganesha.
