Mumbai: In a major relief for thousands of devotees heading to their hometowns for the upcoming Ganesh Chaturthi festival, the Indian Railways has announced the operation of 262 special trains. The massive deployment by the Central Railway is specifically aimed at countering the arbitrary fare hikes by private bus operators and ensuring a comfortable, budget-friendly journey for commuters.
Starting September 9, these festive special trains will enhance connectivity between major urban hubs like Mumbai, Pune, and Nagpur, and popular destinations across the coastal Konkan region and Goa.
According to railway officials, the deployment strategy has been tailored to meet regional demand. The highest number of trips—112 in total—have been allocated to the Sawantwadi Road route. Furthermore, 64 trips have been dedicated to Ratnagiri, while 24 trips will operate to Madgaon in Goa.
Out of the 262 special services, 200 will operate as reserved trains equipped with Air-Conditioned (AC), Sleeper, and General coaches, while the remaining 62 will run as unreserved services. Reflecting the immense demand, officials confirmed that over 1.17 lakh passengers have already booked their seats on the reserved trains.
Beyond convenience, the primary advantage for passengers is the substantial financial savings. During the Ganeshotsav rush, private travel agencies and bus operators notoriously inflate ticket prices. A standard bus ticket, which usually costs between ₹500 and ₹800, skyrockets to ₹2,500 to ₹4,000 during the festive week. In stark contrast, a family of four can now complete their entire journey in a railway sleeper or unreserved coach for a total cost ranging between ₹1,000 and ₹2,500.
To ensure smooth operations amid the anticipated festive rush, the railway authorities have also ramped up crowd management systems, deploying additional ticket counters and Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel across major boarding stations. Travelers are advised to reach the stations well in advance to avoid last-minute chaos.