Click it and Unblock the Notifications
Indian Railways is preparing for a major increase in passenger demand during the Ganpati festival in 2026. Central Railway has announced 262 special train trips to help people travelling from Mumbai, Pune and Nagpur to different destinations in the Konkan region of Maharashtra and Goa. More than 1.17 lakh passengers have already booked tickets on these special services.
Ganpati Special Trains 2026
The special trains will begin operating from September 9, 2026. Of the 262 trips, 200 will be reserved services, while 62 will be unreserved special train trips. The reserved trains will include different types of coaches, including AC, Sleeper and General coaches, giving passengers several travel options.
According to Central Railway, the 200 reserved trips include 112 round trips to Sawantwadi Road, 64 trips to Ratnagiri and 24 trips to Madgaon. These services are expected to help passengers reach their hometowns and celebrate Ganpati with their families.
As of August 31, a total of 1,17,682 passengers had already booked tickets for the special trains. With the festival approaching, railway authorities expect passenger demand and crowds at major stations to increase further.
Additional ticket counters will be arranged at selected stations, while holding areas will be created at major stations to control crowds. Railway authorities will also arrange drinking water, food and toilet facilities at selected locations with support from NGOs.
Queue management systems will be introduced for orderly boarding. Additional Railway Protection Force personnel and ticket-checking staff will also be deployed at important stations.
Advisory for Passengers
Central Railway has also issued an advisory for passengers travelling during the festive rush. Passengers have been asked to reach railway stations at least 30 minutes before their scheduled departure. This is intended to reduce last-minute crowding and make the boarding process smoother.
Passengers have been advised to carry valid tickets and identification documents. For information about train timings, routes and stoppages, travellers can check the Indian Railways enquiry website or the NTES app. Unreserved tickets can be booked through the UTS system, while the RailOne app can also be used for ticket booking.