Ganga Kaveri Express

The 12669 / 12670 Ganga Kaveri Express is a bi-weekly Superfast 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.

Ganga Kaveri Express
गंगा कावेरी एक्सप्रेस
Ganga Kaveri Express Name board
Overview
Service typeSuperfast
LocaleTamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana State, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh & Bihar
First service01 January 1984
Current operator(s)Southern Railways
Route
StartChennai Central (MAS)
Stops22
EndChhapra (CPR)
Distance travelled2,341 km (1,455 mi)
Average journey time42 hrs
Service frequencyBi-weekly
Train number(s)12669 / 12670
On-board services
Class(es)AC 1st Class, AC 2 Tier, AC 3 Tier, Sleeper Class, Unreserved.
Seating arrangementsYes
Sleeping arrangementsYes
Catering facilitiesAvailable
Technical
Rolling stockICF Coaches
Operating speed55 Km/hr (Average)
Route map

Etymology

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

The Superfast service 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 Exp 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converted from one-night to two-nights train, slowed down by more than 3 hours, Green and Yellow colored Rakes withdrawn and AC sleeper service introduced.[4] Later, in 90's Jaffer Sharief introduced the train which is running currently as Ganga Kaveri Express[5][6][7] for the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

The following are the major junctions en route: Gudur, Ongole, Vijayawada, Khammam, Warangal, Ramagundam, Balharshah, Nagpur, Itarsi, Jabalpur, Katni, Satna, Allahabad, Varanasi and Ghazipur city.

Traction

It is hauls by a Royapuram based WAP 7 or Erode based WAP 4 locomotive from Chennai Central to Itarsi Jn.. And then handing over to an Itarsi / Katni based WDM 3A twins locomotive from Itarsi Jn. to Chhapra Jn. and vice versa.

Coach composition

The train has 1 AC First Cum AC Two Tier, 3 AC Two Tier, 2 AC Three Tier, 13 Sleeper Classes, 2 General Unreserved, 2 Luggage cum Passenger Car and 1 Pantry Car (Total 24 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
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See also

References
  1. "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.
  2. "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.
  3. , [IRFCA.com],11 April 2015.
  4. , [IRFCA.com],11 April 2015.
  5. , [indiarailinfo.com],11 April 2015.
  6. , [indiarailinfo.com],11 April 2015.
  7. , [www.indiamike.com],11 April 2015.
  8. , [whereincity.com],11 April 2015.
  9. , [whereincity.com],11 April 2015.
  10. , Allahabad Nagar Nigam,11 April 2015.
  11. , [india9.com],11 April 2015.
  12. , Hindustan Times,11 April 2015.
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