Ganeshotsav 2025: ‘Modi Express’ Special Train Launched From Mumbai to Konkan, All MSRTC Festival Buses Fully Booked

As Ganesh Chaturthi 2025 approaches, travel arrangements for devotees heading to their hometowns in Konkan are in full swing. To ease the festive rush, a special train named ‘Modi Express’ has been launched, operating between Mumbai and Konkan. This train service, which commenced on August 23, aims to provide much-needed relief to devotees and families struggling with ticket shortages during the peak festive season.

‘Modi Express’ Brings Relief to Devotees

The announcement of the Modi Express has been met with enthusiasm by travellers, many of whom often struggle to secure tickets during Ganeshotsav. A local passenger shared their delight, saying:

"We are going by train from Modi Express. Earlier, we had to wait endlessly on the waiting list and hardly got tickets. But this time, because of this train, we received confirmed tickets within two days," as quoted by IANS.

With the start of operations, the train is expected to carry thousands of devotees from Mumbai to Konkan, ensuring that families can celebrate Ganpati Mahotsav in their native villages. The additional service not only provides convenience but also reflects the growing demand for better transport solutions during one of Maharashtra’s biggest festivals.
 

MSRTC Special Festival Buses: 5,103 Fully Booked

While the launch of the Modi Express has brought relief to many, road travel remains equally crucial for Konkan residents. The Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) announced that all 5,103 additional festival buses arranged for Ganeshotsav have been completely booked. Out of these, 4,479 buses were reserved for group bookings, highlighting the massive migration of families travelling together for the festivities.

In total, MSRTC has scheduled around 5,200 special services between August 23 and September 7, aimed at handling the massive travel rush from Mumbai, Thane, and Palghar to Konkan.
 

Emotional Bond Between Ganeshotsav and Konkan

Maharashtra Transport Minister and MSRTC Chairman Pratap Sarnaik highlighted the cultural significance of these special arrangements, saying:

"Ganeshotsav, Mumbai’s Konkan residents, and MSRTC share a deeply rooted bond. Only MSRTC buses can reach the remotest villages and hamlets in Konkan directly from Mumbai, which is why we prioritise these special services every year for the convenience and safety of devotees."

This reflects the deep emotional and spiritual connection that Konkan residents living in urban areas maintain with their native villages during Ganesh Chaturthi. For many, returning home during this period is not just about celebration but also about tradition, family, and devotion.
 

Managing Festive Travel Rush

Every year, Ganeshotsav sees an exodus of lakhs of people from Mumbai and nearby cities towards the Konkan coast. With train and bus services stretched to their limits, both Indian Railways and MSRTC step in with additional facilities to ensure smoother travel.

This year, the combined efforts of introducing the Modi Express and arranging thousands of additional MSRTC buses have been designed to prevent overcrowding and travel chaos, which often plague commuters during the festive rush.
 

Conclusion
 

With the Modi Express special train and over 5,000 MSRTC buses running at full capacity, Konkan-bound devotees can travel with greater ease and comfort for Ganeshotsav 2025. While the demand continues to outpace supply, these arrangements underscore the importance of Ganesh Chaturthi as a cultural bridge that connects people to their roots.

For Konkan residents, whether travelling by train or bus, the journey home is as important as the festival itself — a journey filled with devotion, family bonding, and the joy of welcoming Ganpati Bappa.