Indian Railways has announced a record-breaking 380 Ganpati Special train trips for 2025, ensuring a smooth and comfortable travel experience for lakhs of devotees during the upcoming Ganesh Chaturthi festival. This is the highest number of Ganpati Special trains ever operated, reflecting the growing demand for festive travel, particularly across Maharashtra and the Konkan region.

In comparison, Indian Railways had operated 305 special trips in 2023 and 358 trips in 2024, highlighting a consistent year-on-year increase to accommodate the massive rush of passengers during this festive season.

Ganesh Chaturthi 2025: Dates and Travel Demand

Ganesh Chaturthi, one of India’s most vibrant and widely celebrated festivals, will be observed from 27th August to 6th September 2025. Given the surge of devotees visiting their hometowns and pilgrimage sites, the Railways has started operating Ganpati Special trains from 11th August 2025, with more services being progressively added as the festival approaches.

This proactive planning is aimed at easing the festive rush, providing affordable connectivity, and ensuring that devotees can celebrate Ganesh Puja with their families without the stress of last-minute travel chaos.

Record-Breaking Train Services in 2025

The year 2025 marks a milestone for Indian Railways, with a record 380 Ganpati Special train services being introduced:

• 2023: 305 special train trips

• 2024: 358 special train trips

• 2025: 380 special train trips (highest ever)

This steady rise reflects the Railways’ commitment to expanding capacity and meeting the ever-increasing travel needs during Ganesh Chaturthi.

Zone-Wise Breakup of Ganpati Special Train Services

Indian Railways has strategically allocated these services across different zones to maximize convenience:

• Central Railway: 296 trips (highest share, covering Maharashtra and Konkan region)

• Western Railway: 56 trips

• Konkan Railway (KRCL): 6 trips

• South Western Railway: 22 trips

Among these, Central Railway will handle the bulk of services since it connects Mumbai, Pune, and other key cities with the Konkan belt, where most of the Ganesh Chaturthi rush is concentrated.

Key Halts on the Konkan Route

Ganpati Special trains operating via the Konkan Railway will cover numerous important stations, ensuring connectivity to even smaller towns and villages. The planned halts include:

• Maharashtra & Konkan Region: 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.

• Goa and Beyond: Thivim, Karmali, Madgaon Junction, Karwar, Gokarna Road, Kumta, Murdeshwar, Mookambika Road, Kundapura, Udupi, Mulki, and Surathkal.

This extensive halt plan ensures that passengers from both urban and rural areas can access train services conveniently during the festive rush.

Ticket Booking and Online Convenience

To make booking easier for passengers, Indian Railways has made the full schedule of Ganpati Special trains available on:

• IRCTC official website

• RailOne mobile app

• Computerised PRS counters across India

This ensures that passengers have multiple options for planning their festive journeys in advance. Online booking also reduces last-minute hassles and guarantees a more organized travel experience.

Safety, Reliability, and Passenger Comfort

Indian Railways has emphasized its continued commitment to providing safe, reliable, and comfortable journeys during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival. With 380 trains deployed in 2025, the Railways is not only addressing travel demand but also supporting cultural traditions by ensuring devotees can reach their hometowns and temples without stress.

From modernized ticketing platforms to increased train frequency, every step is being taken to reduce overcrowding and enhance passenger convenience.

Key Highlights at a Glance

• Festival Dates: Ganesh Chaturthi from 27th August to 6th September 2025

• Service Period: Ganpati Special trains running from 11th August 2025 onwards

• Record Services: 380 trips (highest ever, surpassing 2023 and 2024)

• Zone-Wise Distribution: Central (296), Western (56), KRCL (6), South Western (22)

• Convenience: Bookings available on IRCTC, RailOne app, and PRS counters

• Major Halts: Ratnagiri, Chiplun, Kankavali, Sindhudurg, Sawantwadi Road, Thivim, Karmali, Madgaon, Karwar, Udupi, Surathkal, among many others

With the announcement of 380 Ganpati Special train services in 2025, Indian Railways is setting a new benchmark for festive travel arrangements. This unprecedented move will significantly benefit devotees traveling to and from Maharashtra, Konkan, Goa, and Karnataka during Ganesh Chaturthi 2025.

By combining record-breaking service numbers with convenient booking platforms and extensive halt coverage, Indian Railways is once again proving its role as the lifeline of the nation—connecting people to their culture, traditions, and families during one of India’s most cherished festivals.

With inputs from agencies

Image Source: Multiple agencies

© Copyright 2025. All Rights Reserved. Powered by Vygr Media.