Bhavnagar: To handle the heavy rush of passengers during the upcoming Paryushan festival, the Western Railway has announced that a special train will run between Bhavnagar and Mumbai Central starting from Wednesday, August 27. This decision aims to provide additional convenience for travelers who are planning to visit family, attend religious gatherings, or manage business trips during the festive period.
Train Schedule and Timings
According to the senior divisional commercial manager of Bhavnagar division, Atul Kumar Tripathi, the special service will operate with train numbers 09087 and 09088.
- Train Number 09087 Mumbai Central – Bhavnagar Terminus Superfast Special
- Departure: Wednesday, August 27 at 12:00 noon from Mumbai Central.
- Arrival: Thursday morning at 05:45 AM at Bhavnagar Terminus.
- Train Number 09088 Bhavnagar Terminus – Mumbai Central Superfast Special
- Departure: Thursday, August 28 at 05:45 PM from Bhavnagar Terminus.
- Arrival: Next day, Friday morning at 07:30 AM at Mumbai Central.
This arrangement will help passengers avoid last-minute travel chaos and provide a reliable connection between Gujarat and Maharashtra during the busy season.
Route and Halts of the Special Train
The special train to run between Bhavnagar Mumbai will cover several important stations on its route, ensuring connectivity for passengers across Gujarat and Maharashtra. The train will halt at:
- Sihor (Gujarat)
- Songadh
- Dhola
- Botad
- Viramgam
- Ahmedabad
- Anand Junction
- Vadodara
- Surat
- Valsad
- Vapi
- Palghar
- Borivali
These halts are carefully chosen to cater to passengers traveling from smaller towns as well as major cities, making the service accessible to a wider public.
Coaches and Facilities
To ensure passenger comfort, the train will include AC 2-Tier, AC 3-Tier, and Sleeper Class coaches. This variety will allow travelers to choose tickets according to their budget and convenience. The Western Railway has assured that proper safety and comfort standards will be maintained during the journey.
Ticket Booking and Reservations
Ticket booking for this special train between Bhavnagar and Mumbai has already started. Passengers can reserve their seats through:
- Passenger Reservation Centres (PRCs) across railway stations.
- IRCTC official website (www.irctc.co.in) for online booking.
- Railway enquiry portal (www.enquiry.indianrail.gov.in) for detailed schedule and seat availability.
The authorities have advised passengers to book tickets in advance to avoid disappointment as festival-time trains generally witness heavy bookings.
Importance of Paryushan Festival and Travel Demand
Paryushan is one of the most important festivals for the Jain community, marked by prayers, fasting, and spiritual gatherings. Large numbers of devotees travel to their hometowns or religious centers during this period, leading to a sharp rise in passenger demand. Recognizing this, the Western Railway has taken proactive steps to manage the flow of travelers.
The introduction of this special train to run between Bhavnagar Mumbai highlights the importance of religious and cultural festivals in India’s transportation planning. Railways often operate additional services during major occasions like Diwali, Holi, Ganesh Chaturthi, and now Paryushan, ensuring that the needs of passengers are met.
Expected Benefits for Passengers
The new service brings multiple benefits:
- Reduced travel congestion: Helps ease the heavy rush between Bhavnagar and Mumbai.
- Convenient timings: Evening and noon departures ensure flexible travel options.
- Extended connectivity: Covers key cities like Ahmedabad, Vadodara, and Surat.
- Comfortable travel: Availability of AC and sleeper coaches for all categories of passengers.
- Online booking ease: Quick ticket booking via IRCTC platform.
Passenger Advisory
Authorities have requested travelers to:
- Book tickets only through authorized counters or IRCTC website to avoid fraud.
- Reach stations well before departure due to heavy festival crowds.
- Follow railway guidelines related to luggage and safety.
- Keep an eye on official announcements in case of any schedule changes.
Railway’s Efforts for Festive Rush Management
The Western Railway has a long-standing tradition of announcing special trains during peak seasons. This initiative reflects the railways’ commitment to providing reliable services to citizens, especially when demand surges.
By running this special train between Bhavnagar and Mumbai, the Western Railway is not only managing travel demand but also ensuring that cultural traditions and family gatherings during Paryushan are celebrated without stress or travel barriers.
Read also: Bhavnagar Anganwadi Recruitment: Long Queues for Residence Certificates After Salary Hike
Conclusion
The launch of a special train to run between Bhavnagar Mumbai from August 27 is a much-needed step for easing the festive rush. With convenient halts, well-planned timings, and multiple class coaches, the service promises to benefit thousands of passengers traveling for Paryushan.
Passengers are encouraged to plan their journeys early, utilize the online booking platforms, and enjoy a smooth ride between Gujarat and Maharashtra during the festival season.
