Service type Superfast Distance travelled 2,338 km (1,453 mi) | Current operator(s) Southern Railway | |
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Ganga Kaveri Express is a Bi-weekly Superfast train service operated by Indian Railways, connecting Chennai in Southern India to Chhapra in Bihar. Inaugurated on 16 February 1977 by Kamalpati Tripathi, 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.
Contents
Etmology
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 Katni, Pipariya, Betul and Sirpur Kaghaznagar, converted from one-night to two-nights train, slowed down by more than 3 hours, Green and Yellow colored Rakes withdrawn and AC sleeper service introduced. Later, in 90's Jaffer Sharief introduced the train which is running currently as Ganga Kaveri Express for the benefit of South Indian tourists, willing to travel to holy city of Varanasi. 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.
Route
This train enjoys Electric Traction till Itarsi, from where it depends on Diesel Locomotive to haul till Chhapra. The following are the major junctions enroute: [Ongole[Vijayawada railway station|Vijayawada]], Warangal, Sirpur kaghaznagarBalharshah, Nagpur, Itarsi Junction, Jabalpur, Katni, Satna, Allahabad, Varanasi.
Coach Composition
The train has 3 AC 3-Tier, 3 AC 2-Tier, 12 Second class Sleepers, 2 Second class, 2 Luggage cum Passenger Car and a Pantry Car (Total 23 coaches)