By 
Western Railway Expands Capacity for Paryushan Festival
To manage the anticipated surge in passenger traffic during the Paryushan festival, Western Railway has launched a temporary Superfast service connecting Mumbai and Gujarat. This strategic addition aims to alleviate pressure on existing regular services and provide dedicated capacity for pilgrims and travelers heading to Palitana.
The introduction of the Bandra Terminus–Palitana Superfast Special is part of a broader effort to stabilize rail availability across Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh during one of the region's highest-demand seasonal windows.
Bandra Terminus–Palitana Superfast Schedule
The temporary service is designed as a two-trip operation. To accommodate various passenger needs, the train includes both Sleeper Class and General Second Class coaches.
- Train No. 09023 (Bandra Terminus to Palitana): Departs Bandra Terminus at 7:25 pm on September 6, 2026, arriving in Palitana at 9:25 am the following day.
- Train No. 09024 (Palitana to Bandra Terminus): Departs Palitana at 8:00 pm on September 7, 2026, arriving at Bandra Terminus at 9:30 am the next morning.
The service operates under a special fare structure. To ensure maximum accessibility, the train will stop at the following stations in both directions:
- Borivali
- Vapi
- Valsad
- Surat
- Vadodara
- Anand
- Ahmedabad
- Botad
- Dhola
- Songadh
- Sihor
Strategic Extensions for Ahmedabad and Indore Corridors
Beyond the festival-specific Palitana service, Western Railway has extended the operational dates for several critical intercity specials. These extensions ensure that the commercial hubs of Ahmedabad and Indore remain well-connected to Mumbai throughout the late autumn peak.
Mumbai Central–Ahmedabad Corridor
The high-volume link between Mumbai and Ahmedabad will maintain additional capacity through November:
- Train No. 09087 (Mumbai Central–Ahmedabad): Extended until November 25, 2026.
- Train No. 09088 (Ahmedabad–Mumbai Central): Extended until November 26, 2026.
Mumbai Central–Indore Corridor
Two separate pairs of special services connecting Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh have been extended to support sustained travel demand:
- Train No. 09079 (Mumbai Central–Indore): Operational until November 29, 2026.
- Train No. 09080 (Indore–Mumbai Central): Operational until November 30, 2026.
- Train No. 09085 (Mumbai Central–Indore): Operational until November 27, 2026.
- Train No. 09086 (Indore–Mumbai Central): Operational until November 28, 2026.
Operational Impact and Booking Information
These additions provide essential flexibility for passengers during a period characterized by religious events and family gatherings. By distributing the passenger load across special services, Western Railway reduces the risk of extreme overcrowding on permanent schedules.
Tickets for all mentioned special services are available via:
- IRCTC online portal
- Passenger Reservation System (PRS) counters
Travelers are advised to verify specific train numbers and departure timings, as multiple special services often operate on similar routes during this period.
Service Summary Table
| Train Number | Route | Departure Date/Extension | Arrival/End Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 09023 | Bandra Terminus $\rightarrow$ Palitana | Sept 6, 2026 (7:25 pm) | Sept 7, 2026 (9:25 am) |
| 09024 | Palitana $\rightarrow$ Bandra Terminus | Sept 7, 2026 (8:00 pm) | Sept 8, 2026 (9:30 am) |
| 09087 | Mumbai Central $\rightarrow$ Ahmedabad | Extended | Nov 25, 2026 |
| 09088 | Ahmedabad $\rightarrow$ Mumbai Central | Extended | Nov 26, 2026 |
| 09079 | Mumbai Central $\rightarrow$ Indore | Extended | Nov 29, 2026 |
| 09080 | Indore $\rightarrow$ Mumbai Central | Extended | Nov 30, 2026 |
| 09085 | Mumbai Central $\rightarrow$ Indore | Extended | Nov 27, 2026 |
| 09086 | Indore $\rightarrow$ Mumbai Central | Extended | Nov 28, 2026 |
Key Takeaways
- Festival Relief: A new Superfast Special (09023/09024) specifically targets the Paryushan festival rush to Palitana.
- Extended Connectivity: Key routes to Ahmedabad and Indore are now supported by special trains running through late November 2026.
- Broad Access: The Palitana special serves 11 intermediate stations, benefiting travelers across multiple Gujarat cities.
- Booking: Reservations are open via IRCTC and physical PRS counters.
FAQ
What are the coach options for the Bandra-Palitana special? The train includes both Sleeper Class and General Second Class coaches.
Until when are the Mumbai-Indore special trains running? Depending on the train number, services are extended until November 27, 28, 29, or 30, 2026.
Which stations does the Bandra-Palitana special stop at? Stops include Borivali, Vapi, Valsad, Surat, Vadodara, Anand, Ahmedabad, Botad, Dhola, Songadh, and Sihor.
