Mumbai, September 22: The Western Railway announced its plan to operate eight special local trains during the nights of September 28 and September 29 in light of Ganapati Visarjan 2023. According to a media statement released by the Western Railway, UP fast trains scheduled to run during peak hours, specifically from 5 pm to 8.30 pm, will make stops at all stations between Mumbai Central and Churchgate.

Sumit Thakur, the Chief Public Relations Officer (PRO) of Western Railway, emphasised in the statement that, during these peak hours, UP slow line trains heading towards Churchgate will not be making stops at platform number 2 as a measure to alleviate platform congestion. "Considering the heavy rush at Charni Road station due to Ganpati immersion on September 28, 2023, it has been decided that all UP fast trains which run during the peak period i.e., from 17.00 hrs to 20.30 hrs, towards Churchgate, will be provided halt at all stations between Mumbai Central and Churchgate, including Charni Road," the Western Railway said. Ganpati Festival 2023: 45-Foot ‘Bappa’ Towers Over Bylanes of Mumbai’s Khetwadi.

Check Schedule for Mumbai Local on Anant Chaturdashi

To enhance passenger convenience, the Western Railway has scheduled the operation of 8 Ganpati Special local trains for midnight of September 28th/29th, 2023, running between Churchgate and Virar stations. The first Special Suburban service departing from Virar will leave at 12:15 am, arriving at Churchgate at 1:52 am. The second Special Suburban service from Virar is set to depart at 12:45 am, reaching Churchgate at 2:22 am. The third Special service from Virar will commence at 1:40 am, concluding its journey at Churchgate at 3:15 am. The fourth Special service from Virar is scheduled to depart at 3:00 am, reaching Churchgate at 4:40 am. Ganesh Chaturthi 2023: Stampede-Like Situation At Lalbaugcha Raja in Mumbai As Devotees Throng Ganpati Pandal To Catch Glimpse of Lord Ganesha Idol (Watch Video).

Similarly, in the opposite direction, the first Special service will depart from Churchgate at 1:15 am, arriving at Virar at 2:50 am. The second Special service will leave Churchgate at 1:55 am and arrive at Virar at 3:32 am. The third Special service is planned to depart from Churchgate at 2:25 am, reaching Virar at 4:02 am. Lastly, the fourth Special service will depart from Churchgate at 3:20 am, arriving at Virar at 4:58 am. These special suburban trains will stop at all suburban stations along the route between Churchgate and Virar.

During the 10-day-long Ganeshotsav, which is a festival dedicated to the elephant-headed god Ganesha, idols of the deity are typically immersed at different intervals, including after one and a half days, five days, seven days, and ten days, depending on family traditions and customs.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 22, 2023 07:58 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).