The Indian Railways is preparing for the upcoming festive season with a robust schedule of special trains to accommodate the expected surge in passenger travel. Festivals like Diwali, Durga Puja, Ganesh Chaturthi, Onam, and Chhath Puja will see a significant increase in people traveling to their hometowns and for celebrations. To manage this anticipated influx, the Indian Railways has announced the operation of multiple special trains on various routes across the country.
The Southern Railway has also announced plans to run special trains to cater to the increased demand during the Durga Puja, Diwali, and Chhath festivals. Advance reservations for these special services are now open, allowing travelers to secure their seats in advance.
Special Trains from Chennai to Santragachi:
Two special trains, Train No. 06089/06090, will operate weekly between Dr. MGR Chennai Central and Santragachi for three months: September, October, and November. These trains will provide a total of 13 services each, with the following schedule:
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Train No. 06089 (Dr. MGR Chennai Central to Santragachi):
Departs at 1:30 PM on September 4, 11, 18, 25; October 2, 9, 16, 23, 30; and November 6, 13, 20, 27. Arrives at 8:50 PM the next day.*
Train No. 06090 (Santragachi to Dr. MGR Chennai Central):
Departs at 11:40 PM on September 5, 12, 19, 26; October 3, 10, 17, 24, 31; and November 7, 14, 21, 28. Arrives at 9:00 AM the third day.Special Trains from Tambaram to Santragachi:
Another set of special trains, Train No. 06095/06096, will operate between Tambaram and Santragachi on a weekly basis. These trains will also run for 13 services each, with the following schedule:
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Train No. 06095 (Tambaram to Santragachi):
Departs at 1:00 PM on September 5, 12, 19, 26; October 3, 10, 17, 24, 31; and November 7, 14, 21, 28. Arrives at 8:50 PM the next day.*
Train No. 06096 (Santragachi to Tambaram):
Departs at 11:50 PM on September 6, 13, 20, 27; October 4, 11, 18, 25; and November 1, 8, 15, 22, 29. Arrives at 9:45 AM the third day.Durga Puja Special Trains:
Earlier this month, the Indian Railways announced an extension for the weekly Puri-Patna-Puri Puja special train service. This train will operate throughout October and November, providing additional travel options for those celebrating Durga Puja.
Ganesh Festival Special Trains:
The Union Railway Minister, Ashwini Vaishnaw, has announced that 342 special trains will be scheduled for the upcoming Ganesh festival, which begins on September 7th. These trains will cater to the millions of people who travel from Mumbai to their hometowns in Konkan for the ten-day festival. The Konkan Railway Corporation Limited (KRCL) has also announced the operation of seven special trains in September for this festival.
One of the key return trains for Ganesh festival is Train No. 01152 Sawantwadi Road – Mumbai CSMT Special. This train will operate daily from September 1st to September 18th, departing from Sawantwadi Road at 3:10 PM and arriving at Mumbai CSMT at 3:45 AM the following day. The train will make stops at various stations along the route, including Dadar, Thane, Panvel, Roha, Mangaon, Veer, Khed, Chiplun, Sawarda, Aravali Road, Sangameshwar Road, Ratnagiri, Adavali, Vilavade, Rajapur Road, Vaibhavwadi Road, Nandgaon Road, Kankavali, Sindhudurg, and Kudal.
These special trains are a welcome addition for travelers during the festive season, providing convenient and comfortable travel options for those planning journeys to celebrate with their loved ones. With advance reservations already open, travelers are encouraged to book their tickets in advance to secure their seats on these special trains.
