Mumbai: Indian Railways has announced extensive arrangements to handle the annual rush of passengers travelling from Mumbai and other parts of Maharashtra to the Konkan region for Ganeshotsav 2026. Around 350 special trains are being operated this year to meet the surge in demand, with the Railway Ministry saying the number can be increased to 370 services if required.
The arrangements are aimed at making the journey smoother for thousands of devotees who traditionally travel to their native villages in Raigad, Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg districts during the festival. Ganeshotsav is one of Maharashtra’s biggest festivals, and the Mumbai-Konkan route witnesses a sharp rise in passenger traffic during the period.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced the special train arrangements while flagging off a new daily train service between Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) and Sawantwadi Road on September 3. The approximately 510-km service provides a direct connection between Mumbai and several important destinations in the Konkan belt.
The new service is expected to provide additional relief to passengers travelling towards southern Konkan, particularly during the festival rush. The route covers important areas across Raigad, Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg and is also expected to support tourism and local economic activity.
Konkan Railway has separately announced additional trips of several special trains for the festival period. These include services connecting Mumbai Central with Thokur and Sawantwadi Road, along with unreserved services between Bandra and Ratnagiri. Additional trains from other cities, including Vadodara, have also been planned to improve connectivity with the Konkan region.
The railway authorities have been expanding services in response to the heavy demand for tickets during Ganpati. Several trains have already seen strong demand, with passengers booking journeys well in advance to avoid last-minute difficulties.
The additional services are expected to ease pressure on regular trains and provide more travel options during the peak festival period. Railway officials have also kept the possibility of adding more services depending on passenger demand.
The new CSMT-Sawantwadi connection is being seen as a significant step in strengthening Mumbai-Konkan connectivity. Besides festival travel, the daily service is expected to benefit people travelling for education, business, tourism and family visits throughout the year.
With Ganeshotsav approaching, the expanded railway network is expected to play a crucial role in managing the annual movement of passengers from Mumbai towards their Konkan homes, while helping devotees travel more conveniently during one of Maharashtra’s busiest festive seasons.
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