09 December,2025 02:58 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
The announcement was issued on Tuesday by the Central Railway CPRO. Representational Pic
To manage the holiday rush during Christmas, New Year, and winter vacations, Central Railway has announced 76 Winter Special train services connecting Mumbai and Pune with key destinations, including Karmali, Nagpur, Mangaluru, Thiruvananthapuram, Amravati, and Sanganer.
The services will operate between December 2025 and early January 2026, offering travellers additional options during the peak season.
Key winter special services
Mumbai CSMT-Karmali Daily Specials (36 services)
⢠Train 01151: Departs CSMT at 12.20 am (Dec 19-Jan 5)
⢠Train 01152: Departs Karmali at 2.15 pm (Dec 19-Jan 5)
LTT-Thiruvananthapuram North Weekly Specials (8 services)
⢠Train 01171: Thursdays from LTT
⢠Train 01172: Saturdays from Thiruvananthapuram North
LTT-Mangaluru Junction Weekly Specials (8 services)
⢠Train 01185: Tuesdays from LTT
⢠Train 01186: Wednesdays from Mangaluru Jn
CSMT-Nagpur Weekly Specials (6 services)
⢠Train 01005: Saturdays from CSMT
⢠Train 01006: Saturdays from Nagpur
Pune-Nagpur Weekly Specials (6 services)
⢠Train 01401: Fridays from Pune
⢠Train 01402: Saturdays from Nagpur
Pune-Sanganer Weekly Superfast Specials (6 services)
⢠Train 01405: Fridays from Pune
⢠Train 01406: Saturdays from Sanganer
Pune-Amravati Weekly Specials (6 services)
⢠Train 01403: Saturdays from Pune
⢠Train 01404: Sundays from Amravati
(Booking opens on Wednesday)
The announcement was issued on Tuesday by Dr Swapnil Nila, Chief Public Relations Officer, Central Railway, Mumbai.
A new tender for upgrading Sanpada car shed to maintain 15-car trains has triggered speculation that the Railways may be preparing to introduce 15-car locals on the Harbour line as well.
Central Railway is converting 20 existing 12-car rakes into 15-car rakes on the main line, marking one of the largest capacity boosts in more than a decade.
Where the upgrade applies (Main line only)
>> CSMT-Karjat
>> CSMT-Khopoli
>> CSMT-Kasara
Operational impact of 15-car trains
>> Longer clearance time for each section
>> Changes in acceleration and braking patterns
>> Need to revise schedules
>> Higher risk of cascading delays if not managed well
Purpose
>> Modify overhead electrical equipment
>> Enable handling of 15-coach rakes
>> Support main line deployment of 15-car trains
Infrastructure work under MUTP IIIA
Upgrades at:
>> Kurla car shed
>> Kalva car shed
>> Sanpada car shed
âGood idea'
Subhash Gupta, Pravasi Sangh
"The idea of 15-car trains on the Harbour line is good, but the priority should be the main line. We need longer trains beyond Thane and Kalyan first."
Ramika Yadav, commuter
"The Harbour line is neglected. Any improvement is welcome. More 15-car trains overall will help ease crowds."
Janardhan Kumar Patel
"The Harbour line needs better punctuality and frequency first. Crowding is severe beyond Kurla towards Panvel. The trans-harbour needs upgrades too."
Ravalnath Prabhu
"We cannot keep extending trains endlessly. After 15 cars, there will be calls for 18 and so on. The system needs stability."
What Railways say about Harbour line
CR officials insist there is no plan to convert Harbour line services to 15-car trains. "The Sanpada car shed also handles main line rakes, so it is being upgraded along with Kalwa and Kurla. The Harbour line has no space left for 15-car operations. Even the shift from nine-car to 12-car platforms was extremely difficult, so extending to 15-car is not feasible," an official said.
Final word
Harbour line will remain 12-car. The Sanpada tender relates only to the main line upgrade.
