Ganpati special trains 2026: Over 1.17 lakh tickets booked, Railways issues advisory

In 2026, the Central Railway is preparing for a significant surge in demand as it announces the launch of 262 Ganpati special train trips. This includes 200 reserved services and 62 unreserved options, catering to passengers traveling to various destinations across Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, and the Konkan region of Maharashtra and Goa. The trains will commence operations from September 9, 2026.

As of now, these special train services have received an overwhelming response, with over 1.17 lakh tickets booked by passengers. Central Railway, led by Dr. Swapnil Nila, the Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO), has issued an advisory to manage the expected rush. They recommend that passengers arrive at the station at least 30 minutes before the scheduled departure to avoid last-minute crowding and ensure smoother boarding.

To handle the anticipated influx, Central Railway has taken several measures. Extra ticket counters have been set up at various stations, while holding areas have been created at major stations to manage passenger crowds. Drinking water, food, and toilet facilities will also be provided at selected locations, with assistance from NGOs. To ensure orderly boarding, queue management systems will be implemented, and additional Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel and ticket-checking staff will be deployed at key locations.

Passengers are reminded to travel only with valid tickets and identification documents to avoid any inconvenience during their journey. Detailed information regarding the timings, routes, and halts of the Ganpati Special trains can be found on the Indian Railways Enquiry website or through the NTES App. Bookings for unreserved coaches with normal charges can be made through the UTS system, and passengers can also download the RailOne app for ticket bookings.