Five stops to Chennai in less than 20 hours

In its endeavour to optimally utilise its resources, Central Railway (CR) has decided to introduce a weekly superfast train to Chennai from Dadar which will cover the entire distance in 19.50 hours.

This train will cover 1,279 km between Dadar and Chennai at an average speed of 65 kmph.

CR operates three trains between Mumbai and Chennai of which two originate and terminate at Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST) and one from Dadar.

“The two trains from CST – 1027 CST-Chennai Mail takes 29.25 hours whereas 1041 CST-Chennai takes 26.45 hours. The third train, 2163 Dadar-Chennai, takes 23.15 hours. However, this superfast train will save over 3.25 hours,” said Shriniwas Mudgerikar, chief PRO of CR.

Mudgerikar said the reduction in the time has been achieved by reducing the number of halts en route thereby increasing the speed between two stations. The train will halt at five places – Pune, Solapur, Wadi, Guntakal and Renigunta.

Introduced on an experimental basis, it will be operated once a week from April 28 to May 19. “Seeing the immense response from people travelling to Chennai and back we decided to use the CST-Madgaon special superfast rake that was lying idle. So without incurring additional costs we will be able to cater to thousands of passengers,” said Mudgerikar.