The 12669 / 12670 Ganga Kaveri Express is a bi-weekly Express train service operated by Indian Railways, connecting Chennai in Southern India to Chhapra in Bihar.[1][2] Inaugurated on 16 February 1977 by Kamalpati Tripathi,[3] between Madras (now Chennai) and Varanasi, was terminating at Chennai Beach Station, from where MG Ganga Kaveri Express used to run to Rameswaram through the Kaveri river basin. From May 2, 2022, it will run with the new highly refurbished LHB coach.
| Overview | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Service type | Express | ||||
| Locale | Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana State, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh & Bihar | ||||
| First service | 1 January 1984 | ||||
| Current operator(s) | Southern Railways | ||||
| Route | |||||
| Termini | Chennai Central (MAS) Chhapra Junction (CPR) | ||||
| Stops | 22 | ||||
| Distance travelled | 2,343.6 km (1,456 mi) | ||||
| Average journey time | 40 hrs | ||||
| Service frequency | Bi-weekly | ||||
| Train number(s) | 12669 / 12670 | ||||
| On-board services | |||||
| Class(es) | AC 1st Class, AC 2 Tier, AC 3 Tier, Sleeper class, General Unreserved. | ||||
| Seating arrangements | Yes | ||||
| Sleeping arrangements | Yes | ||||
| Catering facilities | Available | ||||
| Baggage facilities | Available | ||||
| Other facilities | Below the seats | ||||
| Technical | |||||
| Rolling stock | LHB coach | ||||
| Track gauge | 1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in) | ||||
| Operating speed | 55 km/h (34 mph) average with halts | ||||
| |||||
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Etymology edit
It is named after two Indian Rivers; Ganga (which flows in the holy city of Varanasi, also Chhapra) and Kaveri river (a River which flows in the Southern states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu).
History edit
The Superfast of train number 139/140 started its service to Varanasi from Madras Beach station, from the opposite platform where an MG Ganga Kaveri Express used to run to Rameswaram since Chennai Beach–Chennai Egmore–Rameswaram line was still in metre gauge. Later the Superfast status was erased, made to terminate at Madras Central (now Chennai Central instead of Madras Beach (now Chennai Beach) as an Express and connection with Madras–Rameswaram Express removed and name changed from Ganga Kaveri Exp to Madras–Varanasi Express. Thus increased halts at some stations, converted from one-night to two-nights train, slowed down by more than 3 hours, Green and Yellow colored rakes withdrawn and AC sleeper service introduced.[4] Later, in 90's Jaffer Sharief introduced the train which is running currently as Ganga Kaveri Express[5][6][7] for the benefit of South Indian tourists, willing to travel to holy city of Varanasi.[8][9][10] This train was extended to Chhapra in December 2006 despite a stiff opposition from the Local South Indians in Varanasi, who alleged that quota may be reduced for Varanasi bound passengers.[11][12] Currently, this train is under criticism since the name of the train currently running wasn't suitable (because this train originates in Chennai not in Trichy where Kaveri river is running and in Chennai only Coovum river is there and hence reason).Also passengers are requesting to change these old, rusting coaches(this train was running still with old ICF rakes for 40+ years) to new LHB rakes since this train is highly preferred for local tourist organisations and senior citizens following Hinduism for doing last rites such as Funeral ceremony and ceremonies to the deceased ancestors and also it is the only straight train from Chennai to Varanasi.
Route and halts edit
The train runs from MGR Chennai Central via Gudur, Ongole, Vijayawada, Khammam, Warangal, Ramagundam, Balharshah Junction, Nagpur, Itarsi, Jabalpur Junction, Katni, Satna, Allahabad, Varanasi Junction Ghazipur City and Ballia to Chhapra.
Traction edit
It is hauled by a Royapuram Loco Shed-based WAP-7 electric locomotive from MGR Chennai Central to Prayagraj Junction. And then handing over to an Kanpur Loco Shed-based WAP-7 electric locomotive from Prayagraj Junction to Chhapra Junction and vice versa.
Coach composition edit
The train runs with LHB coach. It has 1 AC First Class, 3 AC Two Tier, 2 AC Three Tier, 11 Sleeper class, 2 General Unreserved, 2 Luggage cum Generator Car and 1 pantry car (a total of 22 coaches).
| Loco | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
SLR | GS | S11 | S10 | S9 | S8 | S7 | S6 | S5 | S4 | S3 | PC | S2 | S1 | B2 | B1 | A3 | A2 | A1 | H1 | GS | EOG | PV | PV |
It shares its rake with,
12691/12692 - Chennai Central - Sri Sathya Sai Prashanti Nilayam SSPN Weekly SF Express.
See also edit
References edit
- ^ "12669/Ganga Kaveri Express (PT) - Chennai to Chhapra SR/Southern Zone - Railway Enquiry". Archived from the original on 26 September 2008. Retrieved 2008-09-26., India Rail Info,11 April 2015.
- ^ "12670/Ganga Kaveri Express - Chhapra to Chennai SR/Southern Zone - Railway Enquiry". Archived from the original on 27 September 2008. Retrieved 2008-09-27., India Rail Info,11 April 2015.
- ^ [1], [IRFCA.com],11 April 2015.
- ^ [2], [IRFCA.com],11 April 2015.
- ^ [3], [indiarailinfo.com],11 April 2015.
- ^ [4], [indiarailinfo.com],11 April 2015.
- ^ [5], [www.indiamike.com],11 April 2015.
- ^ [6], [whereincity.com],11 April 2015.
- ^ [7], [whereincity.com],11 April 2015.
- ^ [8], Allahabad Nagar Nigam,11 April 2015.
- ^ [9], [india9.com],11 April 2015.
- ^ [10], Hindustan Times,11 April 2015.
External links edit
- Ganga Kaveri Express at India Rail Info
- Ganga Kaveri Express at India Rail Info