Nagpur News: Travelling home to Nagpur for Diwali is becoming increasingly difficult for students, IT professionals and working individuals living in Mumbai and Pune. With festive travel demand surging, tickets on several major trains are unavailable for key dates, including November 4 to 7, while airfares have climbed to nearly ₹19,000 on some routes.
The growing rush has left passengers scrambling for alternatives, with many now hoping that Indian Railways will announce special trains to accommodate the additional festive traffic.
Major Trains Face Severe Ticket Shortage
Demand for travel between Mumbai, Pune and Nagpur typically rises sharply before Diwali, as thousands of students and professionals return home to celebrate the festival with their families.
This year, the rush has pushed several popular trains towards full occupancy. Booking status on key services, including the Mumbai–Nagpur Duronto Express and other major trains, has reportedly reached the ‘REGRET’ stage for select classes and dates, indicating that bookings are no longer being accepted in those categories.
Passengers who have not booked tickets in advance are finding it increasingly difficult to secure confirmed seats. Those with fixed holiday schedules face additional challenges, as changing travel dates may not be practical.
Waiting Lists Cross 100 Even on Diwali
Some trains operating on Diwali day reportedly continue to show waiting-list availability for passengers travelling from Mumbai to Nagpur. However, waiting lists have crossed 100 in certain cases, leaving travellers uncertain about whether their tickets will be confirmed.
A waitlisted ticket does not guarantee a confirmed berth or seat. Families travelling together are particularly concerned about securing accommodation for all members.
Passengers travelling from Pune to Nagpur are also facing limited availability in AC and sleeper classes, further narrowing their options during the festive rush.
Vande Bharat Express Also Sees Heavy Demand
The Vande Bharat Express connecting Pune and Nagpur has also emerged as a sought-after option for festive travel. However, passengers are reportedly facing difficulties securing seats around Diwali.
The fare for the Executive Chair Car is approximately ₹3,740, yet availability has reportedly become limited on high-demand dates.
With regular trains filling up quickly and premium services also experiencing heavy demand, passengers are increasingly exploring alternative dates and modes of transport.
Central Railway Proposes Special Trains
In response to the anticipated festive rush, the Nagpur Division of Central Railway has reportedly submitted a proposal to the railway authorities for operating additional special train services.
The proposal includes two to three trips each on routes connecting Nagpur with Mumbai, Pune and Samastipur in Bihar.
According to information attributed to Aman Mittal, Senior Divisional Commercial Manager, the division has forwarded the proposal to Indian Railways, with an announcement expected in the coming days.
However, the proposal should not be confused with an official approval. Passengers will need to wait for confirmation of the trains’ schedules, stoppages and booking dates.
If approved, the additional services could provide much-needed relief to passengers unable to secure tickets on regular trains.
Airfares Surge to Nearly ₹19,000
With railway reservations becoming increasingly difficult, air travel is emerging as an alternative for passengers who need to reach Nagpur on specific dates. However, the rise in demand has also pushed airfares sharply higher.
According to the fare figures cited for the festive period:
- Pune to Nagpur: Approximately ₹17,697.
- Mumbai to Nagpur: Approximately ₹19,028.
These fares can make flying prohibitively expensive, particularly for students and families travelling together. For a family of four, the combined airfare could exceed ₹70,000 before additional travel expenses, depending on the actual fare available at booking.
Airfares are dynamic and may change according to travel dates, seat availability, airline and booking conditions.
Students and IT Professionals Face the Biggest Challenge
Nagpur residents working in Mumbai and Pune’s IT sector, private companies and other organisations often depend on the festive break to visit their families.
For students, expensive flights may not be financially viable. Working professionals, meanwhile, may have limited flexibility because of fixed leave schedules and workplace commitments.
The situation is particularly difficult for those who delayed booking their tickets or are planning a last-minute trip.
Return Journey After Diwali Could Be Equally Difficult
The travel rush is not limited to passengers arriving in Nagpur. Demand is also expected to rise for journeys from Nagpur to Mumbai and Pune after the festival, when employees and students return to their workplaces and educational institutions.
Without additional services, passengers could face similar booking difficulties on return routes.
What Should Passengers Do?
Travellers planning to visit Nagpur for Diwali should regularly check the official IRCTC website or app for reservation availability, alternative trains and any announcements regarding special services.
Passengers should also compare fares across different travel dates and check airline websites for current prices. Those relying on waitlisted tickets should verify their booking status before finalising their travel arrangements.
For now, passengers are waiting for an official announcement on special trains from Central Railway. Until additional services are confirmed, the combination of limited train availability and sharply higher airfares is making Diwali travel to Nagpur an expensive and uncertain proposition.
