Mangaluru: To cater to the festive travel rush ahead of Diwali 2025, the Indian Railways has announced a series of special trains connecting Hubballi, Mangaluru, and Bengaluru. The move aims to ease congestion, provide additional travel options, and ensure smoother journeys for passengers heading home or travelling across Karnataka during the festive season.
According to the Ministry of Railways, these special trains will operate on select dates between October 17 and October 20, 2025, covering key destinations in coastal and central Karnataka.
Hubballi–Mangaluru–Bengaluru routes announced
Under the new schedule, Train No. 07353 (Hubballi–Mangaluru) will depart from Hubballi Junction at 4:00 pm on October 17, reaching Mangaluru Junction at 11:15 am on October 18. On the return leg, Train No. 07354 (Mangaluru–Bengaluru) will leave Mangaluru Junction at 2:35 pm on October 18 and arrive at Yeshwantpur Junction in Bengaluru at 11:15 pm the same night.
To facilitate return travel after the Diwali celebrations, another set of trains will operate in the reverse direction. Train No. 06229 (Bengaluru–Mangaluru) will leave Yeshwantpur Junction at 12:15 am on October 19 and reach Mangaluru Junction at 11:15 am on the same day. The corresponding return service, Train No. 06230 (Mangaluru–Bengaluru Cantonment), will depart Mangaluru Junction at 2:35 pm on October 19 and arrive at Bengaluru Cantonment at 12:30 am on October 20.
Coaches and on-board facilities
To cater to diverse passenger needs, each train will include a range of accommodations. The Railways has announced that every service will feature:
- One First-Class AC coach
- One AC Two-Tier coach
- Two AC Three-Tier coaches
- Ten Sleeper Class coaches
- Four General Second-Class coaches
- Two Second-Class Luggage-Cum-Brake Vans for luggage and parcels
This mix ensures that passengers from various income brackets can find suitable travel options during the festive season.
Focus on easing festival rush
With millions of passengers expected to travel during Diwali, the introduction of these special services aims to reduce the pressure on regular train schedules. The Railways has also encouraged passengers to book tickets early, as festive-season trains typically sell out quickly.
Officials said the initiative is part of a broader strategy to handle festival-related passenger congestion across the country. “The special trains will help manage the increased demand for travel and ensure comfortable journeys for passengers during Diwali,” a South Western Railway spokesperson said.
Round trip package for festival travellers
In addition to special trains, the Ministry of Railways recently launched an experimental “Round Trip Package for Festival Rush” scheme. Under this initiative, passengers booking confirmed tickets for both onward and return journeys — with the same class, route, and passenger details — are eligible for a 20% rebate on the base fare for the return leg.
Bookings for this package opened on August 14, 2025, and cover onward journeys between October 13 and 26, and return journeys between November 17 and December 1. The usual advance reservation period rules have been relaxed for return bookings to make travel planning easier.
Convenience and connectivity during Diwali
The festive season traditionally witnesses a surge in travel as people return to their hometowns to celebrate with family and friends. Indian Railways’ special services between Hubballi, Mangaluru, and Bengaluru are expected to significantly improve connectivity across Karnataka, particularly between the coastal belt and the state capital.
The initiative not only supports smoother travel but also reflects Railways’ ongoing efforts to enhance passenger comfort through flexible schedules, better facilities, and promotional fare schemes. With these additions, the festive rush in South India is expected to be more manageable, allowing travellers to focus on celebrating Diwali without the stress of travel uncertainty.