Mumbai, December 26: In order to tackle extra rush of commuters during New Year's Eve celebrations, Western Railway (WR) will run late night trains on Western Line during midnight of December 31. Four special trains will run from Churchgate to Virar and four from Virar to Churchgate. All these special trains will be of 12 coaches and will halt at all stations between Churchgate and Virar, reported The Times of India quoting WR chief spokesperson Ravinder Bhakar as saying. Happy New Year 2019 Wishes: WhatsApp Stickers, GIF Images, SMS & Facebook Messages & Photos to Send Xmas Greetings.

According to the report, the last train from Churchgate towards Virar will leave at 03:25 am on the intervening night of December 31 and January 1. Meanwhile, the last train from Viran towards Churchgate will depart at 03:05 am.  According to the report, the special trains will leave Churchgate at 1.15 am, 2 am, 2.30 am and 3.25 am, while trains from Virar will depart at 12.15 am, 12.45 am, 1.40 am, and 3.05 am.

It is not the first time the Railways has taken an initiative to run special trains on festivals. Earlier this year during Ganeshotsva, the Central Railway ran a special midnight suburban train between Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSTM) to Kalyan station. Similarly, the WR also ran four pairs of special train services between Churchgate and Virar.

Meanwhile, the Konkan railway has announced winter special trains for Xmas and New Year to clear the rush of passengers. These special trains include the 02001 / 02002 Lokmanya Tilak - Karmali superfast weekly special train which will leave Mumbai at 12.45 am on Christmas and New Year day and reach Karmali at 1.30 pm same day, reported TOI. The return train from Karmali will depart at 2 pm on the same days and reach LTT at 11.45 pm. The train will halt at Thane, Panvel, Roha, Khed, Chiplun, Ratnagiri, Kankavali, Kudal and Thivim stations.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 31, 2018 12:34 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).