Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 809, to be answered on 04.02.2026, concerns the potential initiation of a daily/weekly special train from Bhiwandi Road Railway Station to Pandharpur, addressing the large number of passengers during Pandharpur Wari, Ashadi Ekadashi, and Kartik festivals in Maharashtra. According to the Minister of Railways, Information & Broadcasting and Electronics & Information Technology (Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw), Indian Railways (IR) is continuously working to cater to passenger needs and manage extra passenger rush during peak seasons, festivals, and religious congregations. IR operates special trains based on traffic patterns, commercial justification, operational feasibility, and resource availability.
The details of special trains operated include:
- 2024-25: approximately 85,400 trips
- 2025-26 (up to December, 2025): approximately 65,000 trips
Currently, the 11027/11028 Dadar-Satara Express offers direct connectivity to Pandharpur from the Mumbai area. Additionally, during 2025-26, IR operated 86 special train trips for Ashadhi Ekadashi and 52 special train trips for Kartik Ekadashi to facilitate devotees traveling to Pandharpur.
Key Entities Referenced
Indian Railways (IR): The entity responsible for operating special trains to Pandharpur and other locations.
Ministry of Railways: The government ministry overseeing the operation of railways.
Pandharpur: A religious place in Maharashtra, central to the special train services discussed.
Bhiwandi Road Railway Station: Starting point of the special train to Pandharpur.
Ashadhi Ekadashi and Kartik Ekadashi: Important festivals during which special trains are operated to Pandharpur.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 809
TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.02.2026
DAILY/WEEKLY SPECIAL TRAIN FROM BHIWANDI ROAD RAILWAY STATION TO
PANDHARPUR
†809. SHRI BALYA MAMA SURESH GOPINATH MHATRE:
Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government proposes to start a daily/weekly special train from
Bhiwandi Road Railway Station to the famous religious place Pandharpur in
view of the large number of passengers travelling through Bhiwandi Road area
during Pandharpur Wari, Ashadi Ekadashi and Kartik festivals in Maharashtra;
and
(b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND
ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)
(a) & (b) Indian Railways (IR) constantly endeavours to cater to the needs of
travelling passengers and to clear the extra rush of passengers during peak
seasons, festivals, religious congregations etc. IR operates special trains
keeping in view the pattern of traffic, commercial justification, operational
feasibility and availability of resources etc., which is an on-going process. The
details of Special trains operated during 2024-25 and 2025-26 (upto December)
is as under:
Year No. of Special train trips
2024-25 ~85,400
2025-26 (upto December, 2025) ~65,000
Presently, 11027/11028 Dadar-Satara Express provides direct connectivity for
Pandharpur from Mumbai area.
Further, to facilitate the devotees travel to Pandharpur during Ashadhi Ekadashi
and Kartik Ekadashi, IR operates special trains for Pandharpur. Accordingly,
during 2025-26, IR operated 86 trips of special trains during Ashadhi Ekadashi
and 52 trips of special trains during Kartik Ekadashi.
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