Western Railway has announced a weekly special train between Bandra Terminus and Palitana to manage rising passenger demand. The service is expected to ease crowding, especially during weekends and peak travel periods.
The Bandra Terminus–Palitana Weekly Special (Train No. 09023) began its operations on May 6, 2026. It departed from Bandra Terminus at 12:15 pm and reach Palitana at 5:10 am the next day. The return service (Train No. 09024) will run on May 8, 2026, leaving Palitana at 5 pm and arriving back at Bandra Terminus at 7:25 am the following morning.
The train will stop at several key stations along the route in both directions. These include Borivali, Palghar, Vapi, Valsad, Surat, Vadodara, Ahmedabad, Botad, Dhola, Songadh and Sihor. These halts are expected to improve connectivity for passengers travelling across different parts of Gujarat and Maharashtra.
This additional service comes at a time when demand for tickets on the Mumbai–Gujarat route remains high. Passengers often face long waiting lists, particularly during holidays and festive periods. The new train is expected to reduce this pressure and increase the chances of getting confirmed bookings.
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The service is also likely to benefit pilgrims travelling to Palitana, which is a well-known religious destination. A direct train option makes the journey simpler and avoids the need for multiple transfers. At the same time, business travellers and families will have access to a more convenient overnight travel option.
Officials said the move is part of ongoing efforts to strengthen connectivity and provide better travel facilities. By adding more services on high-demand routes, the railways aim to improve passenger experience and manage crowd flow more efficiently. It offers a practical option for regular commuters as well as occasional travellers.
(Edited by : Sudarsanan Mani)
First Published: May 6, 2026 6:04 PM IST
