With Diwali and other major festivals around the corner, millions of Indians are preparing to travel home to celebrate with family and friends. As the demand for transportation surges during this festive period, Indian Railways is stepping in to ensure smoother journeys for passengers.
To accommodate the increased festival rush, the Central Railway (CR) zone has announced 30 additional special trains to various destinations across the country. These trains aim to ease congestion and provide a more comfortable travel experience for devotees and holidaymakers alike. “Railways will run 30 additional Special Trains for the convenience of passengers during the upcoming Diwali festival season,” said Dr. Swapnil Nila, Chief Public Relations Officer, Central Railway.
The move is part of the Railways' broader effort to manage the seasonal spike in passenger traffic during Diwali, Chhath Puja, and other celebrations. Passengers are advised to plan their journeys in advance and keep an eye on official railway channels for updates. With the additional services, Indian Railways hopes to make this festive season’s travel not only possible but pleasant.
Here’s a detailed look at the announced special services, including dates, halts, composition, and booking information.
To facilitate travel between Mumbai and Goa during the festive rush, Central Railway will run three services each of a special weekly train between Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (LTT) and Madgaon.
Departure: Every Monday at 08:20 hrs on
October 6, 13, and 20, 2025
Arrival: Madgaon at 22:40 hrs same day
Departure: Every Sunday at 16:30 hrs on
October 5, 12, and 19, 2025
Arrival: LTT at 06:20 hrs the next day
Thane, Panvel, Pen, Roha, Mangaon, Khed, Chiplun, Sangameshwar Road, Ratnagiri, Adavali, Vilavade, Rajapur Road, Vaibhavwadi Road, Kankavali, Sindhudurg, Kudal, Sawantwadi Road, Thivim, and Karmali.
1 AC 2-Tier
3 AC 3-Tier
2 AC 3-Tier Economy
8 Sleeper Class
4 General Second Class
1 Second Seating cum Guard’s Brake Van
1 Generator Van
Bookings for Train No. 01003 opened on October 4, 2025 at all computerised reservation centres and on the official IRCTC website - www.irctc.co.in.
To serve commuters on the Konkan route during weekends in October, Central Railway will operate 24 unreserved services between Panvel and Chiplun.
Departure: Every Friday, Saturday, Sunday at 16:40 hrs
Dates: From October 3 to 26, 2025
Arrival: Chiplun at 21:55 hrs same day
Departure: Every Friday, Saturday, Sunday at 11:05 hrs
Dates: From October 3 to 26, 2025
Arrival: Panvel at 16:10 hrs same day
Somatane, Apta, Jite, Pen, Kasu, Nagothane, Roha, Kolad, Indapur, Mangaon, Goregaon Road, Veer, Sape Wamne, Karanjadi, Vinehere, Diwankhavati, Kalambani Budruk, Khed, and Anjani.
8 MEMU Coaches
These trains will run unreserved. Tickets can be booked through the UTS mobile app or at stations, with fares applicable as per superfast mail/express trains. Passengers are encouraged to book early and stay updated to make the most of these additional services.
How many special trains will run for Diwali this year?
Central Railway is introducing several additional special trains to handle the festive travel rush.
When do the special trains between Lokmanya Tilak Terminus and Madgaon operate?
They run weekly on specific days during October, connecting Mumbai and Goa.
Are the Panvel to Chiplun special trains reserved or unreserved?
These services operate as unreserved trains during weekends in October.
Where can passengers book tickets for the special reserved trains?
Bookings are available at computerised reservation centres and online through the official railway website.
What types of coaches are included on the LTT–Madgaon special train?
The train features a mix of air-conditioned, sleeper, and general class coaches to accommodate different passenger needs.