New Delhi: As the auspicious festival of Ganesh Chaturthi knocks at the doors, the Indian railways has rolled out one of its largest train trips of 2025, to ensure comfortable travel for its devotees. A total of 380 Ganpati Special train trips will be operated in 2025, as per the announcement on August 21.
For a long time, the Ganpati festival has added to chaos of Maharashtra and the Konkan belt. In 2023, Indian Railways managed 305 special trips. In 2024, the number increased to 358. This year, the count has touched 380, setting a new benchmark.
Significant steps to handle surge
To control the hotchpotch, during the festivities in the state, the responsibility has been divided across zones. The Central Railway will run the maximum number of services. A total of 296 trains will be managed by the zone, as most of the demand comes from Maharashtra and the Konkan region.
The Western Railway has been allocated 56 trips. While the Konkan Railway Corporation Limited (KRCL) is expected to handle six trips. The South Western Railway will be responsible for 22 trips in service. The Ganpati puja is usually celebrated from August 27 to September 6. But the festive crowd begins building weeks before. To handle this surge, the Indian Railways has started the Ganpati Special services from August 11. More trains are expected to be put to use to manage the overcrowding during the festivity.
Halts to help
A significant part of the extra services will run through the Konkan Railway. Halts have been provided at Kolad, Indapur, Mangaon, Goregaon Road, Veer, Sape Warmne, Karanjadi, Vinhere, Diwankhavati, Kalambani Budruk, Khed, Anjani, Chiplun, Kamathe, Sawarda, Aravali Road, Sangameshwar Road, Ratnagiri, Adavali, Vilavade, Rajapur Road, Vaibhavwadi Road, Nandgaon Road, Kankavali, Sindhudurg, Kudal, Zarap, Sawantwadi Road, Madure, Thivim, Karmali, Madgaon Junction, Karwar, Gokama Road, Kumta, Murdeshwar, Mookambika Road, Kundapura, Udupi, Mulki and Surathkal.
The detailed schedule of special trains is available on the IRCTC website, RailOne app, and computerized PRS. Indian Railways remains committed to providing safe, reliable, and convenient travel experiences, especially during festivals when demand is significantly higher.
