With Ganesh Chaturthi scheduled to begin on August 27, large-scale travel arrangements were set in motion to ensure smooth journeys for devotees heading back to their hometowns. Among the most significant initiatives was the launch of the special “Modi Express” train, which commenced its services from Mumbai on August 23, aimed at easing the festive rush toward the Konkan region.
Accounts shared by travellers indicated that the move immediately addressed long-standing ticketing challenges. One passenger explained that in previous years they were often stranded on waiting lists without confirmation, whereas this year a confirmed ticket was secured within two days. Such testimonials highlighted the immediate impact of the additional rail services.
Parallel to the rail announcement, the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) reported an unprecedented response to its Ganeshotsav bus services. It was confirmed that 5,103 extra buses had already been booked out of the 5,200 deployed for the festive period stretching from August 23 to September 7. Of these, 4,479 buses were reserved specifically for group bookings. Transport Minister and MSRTC Chairman Pratap Sarnaik stressed that the corporation’s unique ability to connect Mumbai with even the most remote villages of Konkan made these services indispensable during the festival. He remarked that Ganeshotsav held a deep emotional significance for the community, and MSRTC was committed to safeguarding the tradition of returning home to celebrate.
Detailed schedules of the Modi Express were also released. The August 23 service was scheduled to stop at Ratnagiri and Kudal before ending at Sawantwadi, while the August 24 journey would halt at Vaibhavwadi and Kankavali before also concluding at Sawantwadi. Passengers were advised to coordinate with their mandal leaders to secure tickets in advance.
Minister Rane described the additional trains as a symbolic gift to the people of Konkan, particularly to residents from Kankavali, Devgad, and Vaibhavwadi, in recognition of their continuing support. The initiative, he explained, was designed not only to reduce the strain of travel but also to double the joy of Ganeshotsav by ensuring that more devotees could celebrate the occasion in their ancestral homes.
Observers noted that both the special rail and bus services went beyond mere transportation. They were perceived as instruments of cultural preservation and community solidarity. For thousands of Konkan families living in Mumbai, Thane, and Palghar, the possibility of reuniting with loved ones during the festival was seen as invaluable.
Ganesh Chaturthi, celebrated with grandeur across the Konkan belt, transforms towns and villages with elaborately decorated pandals, traditional music, and community feasts. Against this backdrop, the Modi Express and MSRTC’s extensive fleet underscored how public services can reinforce traditions, foster inclusivity, and strengthen social bonds.
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