'Namo Express' leaves Mumbai for Konkan with 1,500 Ganeshotsav devotees

The Lodha Foundation arranged a special "Namo Express" train, as it does every year, to make it easier for Mumbai-based migrant workers from Konkan to travel home for Ganeshotsav to see their village Bappa. The train left platform number 18 of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus at 11:05 am on Saturday, bound for Konkan.

Mumbai BJP president and MLA Amit Satam flagged off the special train. More than 1,500 Ganesh devotees travelled to Konkan on it. The Namo Express runs from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus to Sawantwadi, and was made available specially for migrant workers travelling to their villages for Ganeshotsav. Devotees wanting to celebrate the festival with their families and village Bappa welcomed the initiative.

A large crowd of migrant workers gathered at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus. Joy at going home was visible on every devotee's face, and their excitement grew further once they found their seats. As the special train departed, the entire station premises rang out with chants of "Ganpati Bappa Morya."

Cabinet minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha said Ganeshotsav is a festival close to the heart of every Marathi person. He said the idea behind the initiative is to give Mumbai's migrant workers a chance to see their village Bappa and celebrate the festival with their families. He said that as Ganeshotsav approaches, every Mumbaikar starts missing their village and their people, and it is with this emotional connection in mind that a special train and bus service is arranged for Ganesh devotees every year under the guidance of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. He said the joy visible on devotees' faces as they left Mumbai for Konkan is the real success of the initiative.

Meanwhile, the BJP ran another special train at 11 pm on Saturday, giving Ganesh devotees travelling to Konkan an additional option. Separately, five special buses left from August Kranti Maidan at 6 pm on Friday carrying devotees to Konkan for Ganeshotsav. About 200 migrant workers from the South Mumbai area travelled on these buses, which departed amid chants of "Ganpati Bappa Morya."