In anticipation of the festive season, Central Railway has announced the operation of 124 special trains to accommodate the surge of passengers traveling for Diwali and Chhat festivals. With the increasing demand for train journeys during this peak time, these special trains aim to ensure a smooth travel experience for everyone. Bookings for these festival special trains will commence on September 5th and 6th, 2024. Here’s everything you need to know about the special train services, including routes, timings, and compositions.

Diwali and Chhat Festivals: Celebrating Light, Devotion, and Community

Diwali, the radiant “Festival of Lights” will be celebrated on November 12, 2024, across India. Families will gather to illuminate their homes, exchange gifts, and indulge in festive delicacies, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness.

Following Diwali, the Chhat Festival, significant in Bihar, Jharkhand, and Uttar Pradesh, will commence on November 17, 2024. Devotees will observe rigorous fasts and offer prayers to Surya Dev (the Sun God) and Chhathi Maiya at sunrise and sunset, emphasizing purity, self-discipline, and community bonding.

Chhat Puja, celebrated by rivers and water bodies, expresses gratitude for the harvest and reinforces the spiritual connection between nature and humanity. With both festivals drawing large crowds, Central railway's special train services will play a crucial role in facilitating smooth journeys for passengers celebrating these cherished traditions

Special Train Services Overview

The Central Railway will run 124 trips during the Diwali and Chhat festivals in 2024, with the following special trains scheduled:

1. LTT-Danapur Daily Special (42 Trips)

❑ Train Number: 01143

❑ Departure: LTT Mumbai at 10:30 hrs daily from October 22, 2024, to November 11, 2024.

❑ Arrival: Danapur at 18:45 hrs the next day.

❑ Return Train Number: 01144

❑ Departure: Danapur at 21:30 hrs daily from October 23, 2024, to November 12, 2024.

❑  Arrival: LTT Mumbai at 04:50 hrs on the third day.

Halts: Thane, Kalyan, Nashik Road, Bhusaval, Khandwa, Itarsi, Jabalpur, Satna, Manikpur, Prayagraj Chheoki, Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Jn, Buxar, and Ara.

Composition: 2 AC-III Tier, 8 Sleeper Class, 8 Second Class including 2 Guard’s Brake Van (18 ICF Coaches)

2. CSMT-Asansol Weekly Special (8 Trips)

❑ Train Number: 01145

❑ Departure: CSMT Mumbai at 11:05 hrs every Monday from October 21, 2024, to November 11, 2024.

❑ Arrival: Asansol at 02:30 hrs on the third day.

❑ Return Train Number: 01146

❑ Departure: Asansol at 21:00 hrs every Wednesday from October 23, 2024, to November 13, 2024.

❑ Arrival: CSMT Mumbai at 08:15 hrs on the third day.

Halts: Dadar, Kalyan, Nashik Road, Bhusaval, Itarsi, Jabalpur, Satna, Prayagraj Chheoki, Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya, Sasaram, Deoria Sadar, Gaya, Koderma, NSC Bose J Gomo, Dhanbad, and Kulti.

Composition: 2 AC-III Tier, 8 Sleeper Class, 8 Second Class including 2 Guard’s Brake Van (18 ICF Coaches).

3. CSMT-Gorakhpur Daily Special (42 Trips)

❑ Train Number: 01079

❑ Departure: CSMT Mumbai at 22:30 hrs daily from October 22, 2024, to November 11, 2024.

❑ Arrival: Gorakhpur at 08:20 hrs on the third day.

❑ Return Train Number: 01080

❑ Departure: Gorakhpur at 14:30 hrs daily from October 24, 2024, to November 13, 2024.

❑ Arrival: CSMT Mumbai at 00:40 hrs on the third day.

Halts: Dadar, Thane, Kalyan, Nashik Road, Manmad, Jalgaon, Bhusaval, Khandwa, Itarsi, Bhopal, Bina, Virangana Lakshmibai Jhansi, Orai, Kanpur Central, Lucknow, Gonda, Basti, and Khalilabad.

Composition: 2 AC-III Tier, 8 Sleeper Class, 8 Second Class including 2 Guard’s Brake Van (18 ICF Coaches).

4. LTT-Santragachi Weekly Special (4 Trips)

❑ Train Number: 01107

❑ Departure: LTT Mumbai at 20:15 hrs on October 29, 2024, and November 5, 2024.

❑ Arrival: Santragachi at 05:00 hrs on the third day.

❑ Return Train Number: 01108

❑ Departure: Santragachi at 15:50 hrs on October 31, 2024, and November 7, 2024.

❑ Arrival: LTT Mumbai at 23:45 hrs the next day.

Halts: Thane, Kalyan, Nashik Road, Bhusaval, Akola, Badnera, Nagpur, Gondia, Durg, Raipur, Bilaspur, Jharsuguda, Rourkela, Chakaradharpur, Tatanagar, and Kharagpur.

Composition: 1 First AC, 3 AC-II Tier, 15 AC-III Tier, 1 Pantry Car & 2 Generator vans (22 LHB Coaches).

5. LTT Mumbai-Banaras Weekly Special (4 Trips)

❑ Train Number: 01053

❑ Departure: LTT Mumbai at 12:15 hrs on October 30, 2024, and November 6, 2024.

❑ Arrival: Banaras at 16:05 hrs the next day.

❑ Return Train Number: 01054

❑ Departure: Banaras at 20:30 hrs on October 31, 2024, and November 7, 2024.

❑ Arrival: LTT Mumbai at 23:55 hrs the next day.

Halts: Kalyan, Igatpuri, Nashik Road, Bhusaval, Khandwa, Itarsi, Pipariya, Jabalpur, Katni, Maihar, Satna, Manikpur, Prayagraj Chheoki, and Varanasi.

Composition: 6 AC-III Tier, 10 Sleeper Class, 3 Second Class including 1 Guard’s Brake Van and 1 Generator Car (20 LHB Coaches).

6. LTT-Danapur Bi-Weekly Special (8 Trips)

❑ Train Number: 01009

❑ Departure: LTT Mumbai at 12:15 hrs on October 26, 2024, and October 28, 2024.

❑ Arrival: Danapur at 17:00 hrs the next day.

❑ Return Train Number: 01010

❑ Departure: Danapur at 18:15 hrs on October 27, 2024, and October 29, 2024.

❑ Arrival: LTT Mumbai at 23:55 hrs the next day.

Halts: Kalyan, Igatpuri, Nashik Road, Bhusaval, Khandwa, Itarsi, Pipariya, Jabalpur, Katni, Maihar, Satna, Manikpur, Prayagraj Chheoki, Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Jn, Buxar, and Ara.

Composition: 6 AC-III Tier, 10 Sleeper Class, 3 Second Class including 1 Guard’s Brake Van and 1 Generator Car (20 LHB Coaches).

7. LTT-Samastipur Weekly Special (4 Trips)

❑ Train Number: 01043

❑ Departure: LTT Mumbai at 12:15 hrs on October 31, 2024, and November 7, 2024.

❑ Arrival: Samastipur at 21:15 hrs the next day.

❑ Return Train Number: 01044

❑ Departure: Samastipur at 23:20 hrs on November 1, 2024, and November 8, 2024.

❑ Arrival: LTT Mumbai at 07:40 hrs on the third day.

Halts: Kalyan, Igatpuri, Nashik Road, Bhusaval, Khandwa, Itarsi, Pipariya, Jabalpur, Katni, Maihar, Satna, Manikpur, Prayagraj Chheoki, Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Jn, Buxar, Ara, Danapur, Patliputra, Hajipur, and Muzaffarpur.

Composition: 6 AC-III Tier, 10 Sleeper Class, 3 Second Class including 1 Guard’s Brake Van and 1 Generator Car (20 LHB Coaches).

8. LTT-Prayagraj Weekly Special (4 Trips)

❑ Train Number: 01045

❑ Departure: LTT Mumbai at 12:15 hrs on October 29, 2024, and November 5, 2024.

❑ Arrival: Prayagraj at 11:20 hrs the next day.

❑ Return Train Number: 01046

❑ Departure: Prayagraj at 18:50 hrs on October 30, 2024, and November 6, 2024.

❑ Arrival: LTT Mumbai at 16:05 hrs the next day.

Halts: Kalyan, Nashik Road, Bhusaval, Khandwa, Itarsi, Pipariya, Jabalpur, Katni, Satna, Manikpur, and Shankargarh.

Composition: 2 AC-III Tier, 8 Sleeper Class, 8 Second Class including 2 Guard’s Brake Van (18 ICF Coaches).

9. LTT-Gorakhpur Bi-Weekly Special (8 Trips)

❑ Train Number: 01123

❑ Departure: LTT Mumbai at 12:15 hrs on October 25, 2024, and October 27, 2024.

❑ Arrival: Gorakhpur at 18:55 hrs the next day.

❑ Return Train Number: 01124

❑ Departure: Gorakhpur at 21:15 hrs on October 26, 2024, and October 28, 2024.

❑ Arrival: LTT Mumbai at 07:25 hrs on the third day.

Halts: Thane, Kalyan, Igatpuri, Nashik Road, Bhusaval, Khandwa, Itarsi, Bhopal, Bina, Virangana Lakshmibai Jhansi, Orai, Kanpur Central, Lucknow, Gonda, and Basti.

Composition: 2 AC-III Tier, 8 Sleeper Class, 8 Second Class including 2 Guard’s Brake Van (18 ICF Coaches).

Reservation Details

Reservations for the special trains, including Train Nos. 01053, 01009, 01043, 01045, 01143, 01145, 01079, 01123, and 01107, will open on September 5, 2024, at all computerized reservation centers and on the Indian Railways official website, IRCTC. For detailed timings and halts of these special trains, passengers can visit Indian Railways Enquiry or download the NTES App for real-time tracking and updates.