Ganga Kaveri Express

The 12669/12670 Ganga Kaveri Express is a bi-weekly Express train operated by Indian Railways, connecting Chennai in Southern India to Chhapra in Bihar via Vijayawada and Varanasi.

Overview Started on 16 February 1977 by Kamalpati Tripathi, originally running between Madras (now Chennai) and Varanasi, terminating at Chennai Beach Station. It used the platform previously used by the MG Ganga Kaveri Express to Rameswaram through the Kaveri river basin. Name Origin: Named after two Indian rivers: the Ganga, flowing through the holy cities of Varanasi and Chhapra, and the Kaveri River, flowing through the southern states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Early Service: Train number 139/140 began as a Superfast service between Madras Beach and Varanasi. Reclassification: Later reclassified as an Express, renamed Madras–Varanasi Express, shortened to terminate at Madras Central, with AC sleeper coaches introduced and the Green and Yellow rakes withdrawn. Reintroduction: In the 1990s, Jaffer Sharief reinstated it as the Ganga Kaveri Express to serve South Indian tourists visiting Varanasi. Extension: Extended to Chhapra in December 2006, despite concerns from Varanasi passengers about reduced seat availability. Criticism & Requests: Name criticized because the train does not start in Trichy, near the Kaveri River; passengers have requested modern LHB coaches instead of old ICF ones. Popularity: Highly preferred by tourists and senior citizens performing religious rites; remains the only direct train from Chennai to Varanasi.

Rake and coach history Originally, the train operated with ICF-designed rakes that included Green and Yellow colored coaches for long-distance Superfast service. After its reclassification as an Express train, these rakes were withdrawn and air-conditioned sleeper coaches were introduced. The train has continued to operate with older ICF rakes for over 40 years, which has led to requests for upgrading to modern LHB rakes to improve passenger comfort and safety.

Schedule 12669 / 12670 Puratchi Thalaivar Dr. MGR Chennai Central–Chhapra Gangakaveri Express Schedule Train Type Superfast Distance 2342 km (12669) / 2342 km (12670) Average Speed ~60 km/h Journey Time (MAS → CPR) ~39 hrs 55 min Journey Time (CPR → MAS) ~39 hrs 10 min Classes Available 1A, 2A, 3A, 3E, SL, GEN, PWD Operating Days 12669: Mon & Sat / 12670: Mon & Sat Operator Southern Railway

Route and halts +12669 Puratchi Thalaivar Dr. MGR Chennai Central–Chhapra Gangakaveri Express and 12670 Chhapra–Puratchi Thalaivar Dr. MGR Chennai Central Gangakaveri Express Schedule Sr. 12669 MAS–CPR 12670 CPR–MAS Station Day Arr. Dep. Station Day Arr. Dep. 1 MGR Chennai Central 1 — 17:40 1 — 21:00 2 1 19:23 19:25 1 22:05 22:10 3 1 21:33 21:35 1 23:10 23:15 4 1 23:45 23:55 2 01:10 01:20 5 2 01:34 01:35 Bhadohi 2 01:56 01:58 6 2 02:49 02:51 2 04:05 04:30 7 2 05:19 05:20 2 06:55 07:00 8 2 06:55 07:00 2 08:15 08:20 9 2 07:15 07:17 Jabalpur 2 10:00 10:10 10 2 09:00 09:02 2 11:58 12:00 11 2 10:25 10:30 2 13:25 13:35 12 2 12:58 13:00 2 15:08 15:10 13 2 15:35 15:45 2 18:15 18:20 14 2 16:33 16:35 2 19:18 19:20 15 Jabalpur 2 18:40 18:50 2 21:05 21:07 16 2 20:03 20:05 2 22:05 22:10 17 2 21:15 21:20 2 22:59 23:00 18 (Train Reversal) 3 01:45 02:10 3 01:23 01:25 19 Bhadohi 3 03:46 03:48 3 03:04 03:05 20 3 05:10 05:20 3 05:10 05:20 21 3 06:35 06:40 3 07:23 07:25 22 3 07:35 07:40 3 09:43 09:45 23 3 09:35 — MGR Chennai Central 3 12:10 —

Rake sharing The train shares its rake with 12691/12692 MGR Chennai Central-Shivamogga Town Superfast Express.

Coach composition Category Coaches Total Sleeper cum Luggage Rake (SLRD) SLRD1, SLRD2 2 Divyangjan / Reserved GEN Divyangjan1 1 General Unreserved (GEN) GEN1, GEN2, GEN3, GEN4, GEN5, GEN6 6 Sleeper Class (SL) S1, S2, S3, S4, S5, S6 6 Pantry Car (PC) PC 1 AC 3 Economy (3E) M1, M2 2 AC 3 Tier (3A) B1, B2, B3, B4 4 AC 2 Tier (2A) A1, A2 2 AC First Class (1A) H1 1 Luggage/Parcel Rake (LPR) LPR 1 Total Coaches 22 Primary Maintenance – Basin Bridge Train Care Centre (BBQ) in Chennai Secondary Maintenance - Chhapra Coaching Depot

Ganga Kaveri Express

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