Central Railway has decided to introduce a dedicated holiday train linking Mumbai with eastern Uttar Pradesh to manage passenger traffic ahead of upcoming major celebrations. The special service will operate between Lokmanya Tilak Terminus in Mumbai and Banaras station. The move is designed to offer confirmed accommodations and a hassle-free journey to countless travelers heading home during Diwali and Chhath Puja, when scheduled long-distance express services routinely witness massive ticket waitlists.
Extensive Connectivity Across Three Key States
The operational path connects key hubs across Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh. For working professionals and migrant families settled in the Mumbai metropolitan belt, the train provides direct transit back to the Purvanchal hinterland. In addition, people residing in major trade and administrative centres along the central route will gain an efficient transit option during one of the most crowded travel windows of the year.
Detailed Timetable and Operations Schedule
Departing from Uttar Pradesh, train number 05167, operating as the Banaras to Lokmanya Tilak Terminus Special, is scheduled to run on every Saturday from October 17 through November 28. It will leave Banaras at 09:50 in the morning and reach Lokmanya Tilak Terminus the subsequent day, Sunday, at 16:50 in the evening.
For the return trip, train number 05168 will run from Lokmanya Tilak Terminus back to Banaras. This service is slated to operate every Sunday from October 18 to November 29. The train will pull out of Mumbai at 18:10 in the evening and complete its journey at Banaras on Tuesday past midnight at 00:50.
En Route Halt Stations and Coach Composition
To maximize convenience for long-distance passengers, stops have been designated at several commercial and railway junctions in both directions. The train will make scheduled halts at Varanasi, Prayagraj Chheoki, Manikpur, Satna, Maihar, Katni, Jabalpur, Itarsi, Khandwa, Burhanpur, Bhusaval, Nashik, Igatpuri, Kalyan, and Thane.
The train will be assembled with a total rake of 22 coaches catering to diverse passenger segments. The accommodation plan features 1 First AC coach, 2 Second AC coaches, 4 Third AC coaches, and 2 Third AC Economy coaches. To accommodate middle-income and budget travelers, the rake also incorporates 6 Sleeper Class coaches, 5 unreserved General Class bogies, and 1 SLR compartment.
Advisory on Schedule Changes and Live Updates
Rail operations during heavy holiday peaks remain subject to dynamic adjustments based on traffic pressure and maintenance requirements. Commuters are strongly urged to cross-verify departure and transit status prior to boarding by checking the NTES mobile portal. Real-time updates can also be procured round the clock by dialing the integrated rail inquiry helpline 139.
