Central Railway 418 Festival Special Trains 2026: List & Routes
Full list of 418 Central Railway festival special trains for Diwali, Chhath & Durga Puja 2026 from Mumbai & Pune to UP, Bihar and South India.
🔔 Planning festival travel from Mumbai or Pune? Find confirmed seats and smart split routes on high-demand festive corridors:
TL;DR
Central Railway has announced 418 festival special train services for Durga Puja, Diwali, and Chhath Puja 2026 to handle the heavy passenger rush from Mumbai (CSMT, LTT, Panvel) and Pune to Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, and Southern states. Online and counter reservations open on September 27, 2026 at 08:00 AM IST on IRCTC and computerized PRS counters under Train on Special Fare (TOSF) pricing. If regular routes show REGRET or high waiting lists, use Smart Seats to find split-ticket options, check Chart Times for release alerts, and claim vacant seats on Chart Vacancy post-charting.
Which 418 Festival Special Trains Has Central Railway Announced for 2026?
Central Railway has notified 418 festival special train trips for Durga Puja, Diwali, and Chhath Puja 2026 to manage heavy passenger rush from Mumbai, Pune, and Nagpur to high-demand destinations across Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, and South India. These 0-series services operate across October and November 2026, offering dedicated Sleeper, AC, and unreserved accommodations.
The festive season spanning Durga Puja, Diwali, and Chhath Puja triggers intense demand across the Indian railway network. Millions of working professionals, students, and families residing in Mumbai, Thane, Navi Mumbai, and Pune travel to their hometowns in northern, eastern, and southern India.
To address this demand and ease the pressure on regular flagship express trains, Central Railway (CR) operates 418 festival special trips across several key corridors:
- Mumbai to Eastern UP & Bihar Corridors: Direct special trains originating from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT), Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (LTT), and Panvel to Gorakhpur, Danapur, Prayagraj, Banaras, Samastipur, and Chhapra.
- Pune Outbound Trunk Routes: Direct connectivity from Pune Junction to Danapur, Gorakhpur, Nagpur, and Kalaburagi/Latur via Daund Chord line and Manmad.
- Eastern & Southern Links: Scheduled runs connecting Mumbai to Howrah for Durga Puja and Kali Puja, as well as express specials to Chennai Central and KSR Bengaluru.
- Intra-State Festive Services: Enhanced connectivity between Mumbai/Pune and Vidarbha/Marathwada regions, including Nagpur, Latur, and Kolhapur.
These trains operate with 0-series train numbers and feature rake configurations designed for maximum capacity, including AC 2-Tier, AC 3-Tier, AC 3-Tier Economy (3E), Sleeper Class (SL), and General Second Class (GS) coaches.
What Are the Top Special Trains from Mumbai CSMT and LTT to UP and Bihar?
Top Central Railway special trains from Mumbai CSMT and LTT connect to Gorakhpur, Danapur, Prayagraj, Banaras, and Samastipur to clear peak festive traffic toward Eastern India. Flagship services include the daily 01079/01080 CSMT–Gorakhpur Special, the 01103/01104 LTT–Danapur Bi-Weekly Special, and weekly services to Prayagraj, Banaras, and Samastipur, running with AC, Sleeper, and General coaches.
Corridors between Mumbai and the northern/eastern belt experience the highest passenger load. Flagship trains such as the Pushpak Express, Kashi Express, Mahanagari Express, and LTT–Patna Express exhaust their quotas weeks in advance. The 0-series special trains bridge this capacity gap.
The table below outlines the primary Central Railway festival special trains operating from Mumbai to Uttar Pradesh and Bihar:
| Train Number | Train Name / Corridor | Origin Station | Destination Station | Frequency | Coach Composition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01079 / 01080 | CSMT – Gorakhpur Daily Special | Mumbai CSMT | Gorakhpur Jn (GKP) | Daily | 2A, 3A, 3E, SL, GS |
| 01045 / 01046 | LTT – Prayagraj Weekly Special | Mumbai LTT | Prayagraj Jn (PRYJ) | Weekly (Tuesdays) | 2A, 3A, SL, GS |
| 01103 / 01104 | LTT – Danapur Bi-Weekly Special | Mumbai LTT | Danapur (DNR) | Bi-Weekly (Mon, Thu) | 3A, 3E, SL, GS |
| 01053 / 01054 | LTT – Banaras Weekly Special | Mumbai LTT | Banaras (BSBS) | Weekly (Wednesdays) | 2A, 3A, SL, GS |
| 01043 / 01044 | LTT – Samastipur Special | Mumbai LTT | Samastipur Jn (SPJ) | Weekly (Sundays) | 3A, SL, GS |
| 01143 / 01144 | CSMT – Danapur Special | Mumbai CSMT | Danapur (DNR) | Tri-Weekly | 2A, 3A, SL, GS |
| 01077 / 01078 | LTT – Chhapra Festive Special | Mumbai LTT | Chhapra (CPR) | Weekly (Saturdays) | 3E, SL, GS |
Major intermediate commercial halts for these Mumbai departures include Thane, Kalyan, Nashik Road, Manmad, Jalgaon, Bhusaval, Khandwa, Itarsi, Jabalpur, Katni, Satna, Manikpur, and Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya (DDU) Junction.
⚡ Quick Seat Search by Route: Check Mumbai to Danapur Seats • Check Mumbai to Gorakhpur Seats • Check Mumbai to Varanasi Seats
What Special Trains Are Operating from Pune to Danapur, Gorakhpur, and Nagpur?
Pune Junction operates key festival special services to Danapur, Gorakhpur, Nagpur, and Kalaburagi/Latur to accommodate industrial workers, students, and families travelling for Diwali and Chhath. Major trains include 01409/01410 Pune–Danapur Special, 01431/01432 Pune–Gorakhpur Special, 01201/01202 Pune–Nagpur Superfast, and 01425/01426 Pune–Kalaburagi Special, bypassing Mumbai terminals to provide direct transit via Daund Chord.
Pune serves as a major hub for IT professionals, manufacturing workforce, and students from across India. During festival peaks, trains originating from Pune toward Bihar, eastern Uttar Pradesh, and eastern Maharashtra face heavy booking pressure.
The table below lists the key festival special trains operating from Pune Junction:
| Train Number | Train Name / Corridor | Origin Station | Destination Station | Frequency | Coach Composition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01409 / 01410 | Pune – Danapur Festive Special | Pune Jn (PUNE) | Danapur (DNR) | Daily during peak rush | 2A, 3A, 3E, SL, GS |
| 01431 / 01432 | Pune – Gorakhpur Weekly Special | Pune Jn (PUNE) | Gorakhpur Jn (GKP) | Weekly (Fridays) | 2A, 3A, SL, GS |
| 01201 / 01202 | Pune – Nagpur Superfast Special | Pune Jn (PUNE) | Nagpur Jn (NGP) | Tri-Weekly | 3A, SL, GS |
| 01425 / 01426 | Pune – Kalaburagi / Latur Special | Pune Jn (PUNE) | Kalaburagi (KLBG) | 4 Days a week | 3A, SL, GS, 2S |
| 01415 / 01416 | Pune – Gorakhpur AC Special | Pune Jn (PUNE) | Gorakhpur Jn (GKP) | Weekly (Tuesdays) | 2A, 3A, 3E (All AC) |
These Pune specials typically run via Daund Chord line, Ahmednagar, Belapur, Kopargaon, Manmad, and Bhusaval, eliminating the need to reverse loco at Daund and reducing total running time by nearly 45 minutes.
⚡ Quick Route Search: Search Pune to Danapur Special Trains • Search Pune to Gorakhpur Trains • Search Pune to Nagpur Trains
Which Central Railway Special Trains Run to South India and Bengal?
Central Railway operates dedicated festival specials connecting Mumbai CSMT and Pune to major southern and eastern hubs, including Chennai, Bengaluru, and Kolkata Howrah. Notable services include the 01015/01016 CSMT–Chennai Weekly AC Special, 01013/01014 CSMT–Bengaluru Weekly Special, and 01147/01148 CSMT–Howrah Special, serving passengers travelling for Durga Puja, Kali Puja, and Diwali holidays.
In addition to the heavy northern and eastern routes, Central Railway provides connectivity to southern metros and eastern commercial hubs during Durga Puja and Diwali.
The table below outlines special services operating to West Bengal and Southern states:
| Train Number | Train Name / Corridor | Origin Station | Destination Station | Frequency | Primary Route & Stoppages |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01015 / 01016 | CSMT – Chennai Weekly AC Special | Mumbai CSMT | Chennai Central (MAS) | Weekly (Thursdays) | Pune, Solapur, Wadi, Guntakal, Renigunta, Arakkonam |
| 01013 / 01014 | CSMT – Bengaluru Weekly Special | Mumbai CSMT | KSR Bengaluru (SBC) | Weekly (Saturdays) | Kalyan, Pune, Satara, Miraj, Belagavi, Hubballi, Davangere |
| 01147 / 01148 | CSMT – Howrah Durga Puja Special | Mumbai CSMT | Howrah Jn (HWH) | Bi-Weekly | Bhusaval, Nagpur, Raipur, Bilaspur, Rourkela, Tatanagar |
| 01435 / 01436 | Pune – Solapur – Kalaburagi Special | Pune Jn | Kalaburagi (KLBG) | Bi-Weekly | Daund, Kurduwadi, Solapur, Gangapur Road |
Passengers travelling to Kolkata for Durga Puja can utilize 01147/01148 as a reliable alternative to regular trains like the Gitanjali Express and Mumbai Mail, which frequently enter waitlists months ahead.
When Does Booking Open for Central Railway 418 Festival Special Trains?
Reservations for Central Railway 418 festival special trains open on September 27, 2026 at 08:00 AM IST across all computerized PRS counters and the IRCTC website/app. Bookings require mandatory Aadhaar OTP verification on opening day for general quota berths and follow Train on Special Fare (TOSF) rules with flat 10% to 30% surcharges.
Understanding booking schedules and ticketing rules ensures you secure confirmed seats before quotas exhaust:
- Reservation Opening Schedule: Bookings for the notified 418 services open progressively starting September 27, 2026 at 08:00 AM IST. Both the official IRCTC website/mobile app and railway PRS reservation counters at stations sync at 08:00 AM.
- Aadhaar OTP Authentication Mandate: Under current Indian Railways ticketing directives, opening-day reservations for general quotas require Aadhaar-authenticated IRCTC user profiles. Completing KYC on your IRCTC account before the booking window opens avoids verification delays.
- Train on Special Fare (TOSF) Pricing: 0-series festival specials run under TOSF guidelines. A flat surcharge applies over regular mail/express fares:
- Second Sitting (2S): 10% surcharge on base fare.
- Sleeper Class (SL): 30% surcharge on base fare.
- AC Classes (3E, 3A, 2A, 1A): 30% surcharge on base fare.
- Concessions and Quota Rules: Standard concession discounts (such as senior citizen, student, or institutional concessions) remain suspended on festival special trains. Quotas such as Ladies Quota (LD), Senior Citizen/Lower Berth Quota (SS), and Divyangjan Quota operate according to individual rake notifications.
How to Book Confirmed Seats on Festival Special Trains When Tickets Are Waitlisted?
When Central Railway festival specials enter waiting list or REGRET status, you can secure confirmed travel using LastBerth Smart Seats split-ticketing, origin-station booking with online boarding change, and post-charting Current Availability. The first reservation chart prepares roughly 8 hours before departure, releasing unallocated berths that passengers can book up to 30 minutes before train departure.
Even on special trains, high demand can cause seats to sell out within hours. If your preferred train shows WL (Waiting List) or REGRET, use these proven booking strategies to secure your journey:
1. Split-Segment Booking via Smart Seats
Indian Railways partitions coach berths into separate intermediate station quotas (GNWL, RLWL, and PQWL). While a direct booking from Mumbai to Danapur may show REGRET, berths may remain available from Mumbai to Itarsi, and from Itarsi to Danapur on the exact same train.
Use Smart Seats to discover contiguous split-segment seats, enabling you to travel on a single train without changing coaches or rakes.
2. Origin Station Booking with Boarding Station Modification
Intermediate stations draw from smaller pooled quotas that exhaust quickly. Booking from the originating terminal station (such as Mumbai CSMT instead of Thane, or Pune instead of Daund) secures access to the larger General Quota (GNWL).
Under Indian Railways rules, you can modify your boarding station online on IRCTC up to the preparation of the second reservation chart (around 30 minutes before train departure).
3. Current Availability (CURR_AVBL) Post-Chart Discovery
When the first reservation chart is prepared (at least 4 to 8 hours before departure, or at 21:00 hrs (9:00 PM) the previous evening for morning departures), all unallocated quotas and last-minute cancellations are released as CURR_AVBL at a 10% discount.
You can inspect Chart Vacancy and track charting timelines on Chart Times to claim released berths up to 30 minutes before departure.
4. Standby Festival Clone Trains
During peak festival days (October 16–21 for Durga Puja, November 6–10 for Diwali, and November 12–15 for Chhath Puja), Central Railway deploys unannounced duplicate/clone rakes running 30 to 60 minutes behind major express trains. These appear on IRCTC with 12 to 24 hours notice with fresh, unreserved general quotas.
Going Home for Chhath or Diwali?
Direct trains showing REGRET? Find confirmed festival specials and split-journey contiguous seats.
Common Booking Questions (FAQ)
Are Central Railway festival special train tickets more expensive than regular trains?
Yes, 0-series festival special trains charge a flat Train on Special Fare (TOSF) surcharge of 10% on Second Sitting and 30% on Sleeper and AC classes over regular express base fares. Standard concession discounts for senior citizens and other categories do not apply on these special services.
When does ticket booking open for Central Railway 418 special trains?
Booking for Central Railway 418 festival special trains begins on September 27, 2026 at 08:00 AM IST on the IRCTC website, Rail Connect app, and computerized PRS counters at railway stations. Subsequent supplementary rakes open 10 to 30 days before departure as schedules are finalized.
Can you book Tatkal tickets on Central Railway festival specials?
Tatkal quota availability depends on the specific train notification. While select 0-series special trains allocate standard Tatkal quotas opening at 10:00 AM for AC classes and 11:00 AM for non-AC classes one day prior to departure, many festival specials operate with 100% general quota. Check quota availability on IRCTC for your train.
Can you board a Central Railway special train with a waitlisted e-ticket?
No, passengers holding fully waitlisted e-tickets cannot board reserved coaches on special trains. Unconfirmed online tickets are automatically cancelled after chart preparation and refunded to the original payment source. Boarding with an invalid ticket attracts a flat ₹500 fine under the Jan Vishwas Act plus single fare under Section 138 of the Railways Act.
Can you change your boarding station on a festival special train?
Yes, you can change your boarding station online through the IRCTC portal up to the preparation of the second reservation chart, which occurs approximately 30 minutes before train departure. Ensure the updated boarding station reflects on your PNR before boarding.
Why do festival special trains take longer than regular superfast trains?
Festival special trains run on temporary timetabled paths and yield track precedence to scheduled priority trains such as Vande Bharat, Rajdhani, and Superfast express trains. Passengers should plan their itinerary with buffer time for potential operational delays.
How can you check vacant seats on special trains after chart preparation?
You can check vacant seats on IRCTC or through Chart Vacancy and Smart Seats. After the first chart is prepared, unsold berths across all quotas are converted into Current Availability (CURR_AVBL) and can be booked online or at station counters until 30 minutes before departure.
Are concession fares available on Central Railway 418 festival special trains?
No, fare concessions for senior citizens, students, and other general concession categories are suspended on 0-series festival special trains under Ministry of Railways commercial rules. Only specific identity-based passes like Divyangjan identity cards are honoured where explicitly notified.
Bottom Line
Central Railway's announcement of 418 festival special trains provides crucial relief for passengers travelling from Mumbai and Pune to Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Bengal, and Southern states during Durga Puja, Diwali, and Chhath Puja 2026. Book your tickets early starting September 27, 2026 at 08:00 AM IST on IRCTC. If your train shows a waiting list, use Smart Seats to find confirmed split journeys, check Chart Times for charting alerts, and secure released berths on Chart Vacancy.
LastBerth is an independently operated, registered IRCTC booking agent, not the official IRCTC or Indian Railways website. Assisted bookings are confirmed only once all required PNRs are issued.
Going Home for Chhath or Diwali?
Direct trains showing REGRET? Find confirmed festival specials and split-journey contiguous seats.
Kartik Arora
Railway Travel Expert • 500+ Journeys
Kartik is a passionate Indian Railways traveler who has spent years decoding the complex algorithms behind IRCTC waitlists, Tatkal quotas, and chart preparation. He built LastBerth to help fellow travelers find confirmed tickets when all hope seems lost.
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