Mumbai: In response to the increased demand from devotees during the Ganesh festival, Central Railway has announced the operation of 22 additional local train services.

These trains will run between Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) and Thane/Kalyan during late-night hours from Saturday to Tuesday.

The decision was made after receiving numerous requests from public Ganesh Utsav committees who were concerned about transportation during the festive period.

To facilitate smooth travel for the large number of devotees participating in the festival, especially for the Ganpati immersion processions, these special trains will provide much-needed transportation options.

The additional services on the main line will operate between CSMT and Thane/Kalyan. The first CSMT-Kalyan special local train will depart from CSMT at 1:40 AM and will reach Kalyan at 3:10 AM.

Another service from CSMT to Thane will depart at 2:30 AM and arrive at Thane at 3:30 AM. A third special train will leave CSMT at 3:25 AM and arrive at Kalyan at 4:55 AM.

For return trips, a special local train from Kalyan will depart at 12:05 AM, arriving at CSMT by 1:30 AM. From Thane, a special service will leave at 1:00 AM, reaching CSMT at 2:00 AM, with another one departing from Thane at 2:00 AM, reaching CSMT at 3:00 AM.

To cater to the crowds traveling to Panvel for the Ganpati processions, Central Railway will also operate additional services on the Harbour line.

One special train will depart from CSMT at 1:30 AM, reaching Panvel at 2:50 AM, while another will leave at 2:45 AM, arriving in Panvel at 4:05 AM.

Special services from Panvel to CSMT are also scheduled, with one departing Panvel at 1:00 AM and reaching CSMT at 2:20 AM, and another leaving Panvel at 1:45 AM, arriving at CSMT by 3:05 AM.