Indian Railways has announced the operation of 342 special trains to manage the expected surge in travel demand during Ganesh Chaturthi, which begins on September 7th. This decision reflects the festival’s tradition of prompting a large migration from Mumbai to the Konkan region, necessitating additional train services. Initially, a request for 300 special trains was made, but the Railways decided to increase the number to better accommodate the anticipated travel needs.
The announcement was made during the launch of a new bi-weekly train service connecting Bandra Terminus in Mumbai to Madgaon in Goa. This new service, officiated by Union Commerce Minister and local MP Piyush Goyal, emphasizes the strengthening of connectivity between Mumbai’s western suburbs and the Konkan area.
Beyond the measures for the upcoming Ganesh festival, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw emphasized the ongoing enhancements to Mumbai’s suburban rail network. With a significant investment of Rs 16,240 crore, 12 major infrastructure projects are nearing completion. These projects will benefit daily commuters and include the addition of the CSMT-Kurla 5th and 6th lines, the Mumbai Central-Borivali 6th line, and the development of the Panvel-Karjat Suburban Corridor.
Vaishnaw highlighted the substantial increase in the budget allocation for Maharashtra’s railway infrastructure. This allocation has grown from Rs 1,171 crore before 2014 to Rs 15,940 crore for the 2024-25 fiscal year. Over the past ten years, 1,830 kilometers of new railway tracks have been laid across Maharashtra, exceeding the total railway network in Sri Lanka. Future plans include the redevelopment of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) and the construction of 318 railway flyovers and underpasses, further enhancing the state’s rail infrastructure.
