A Timely Festive Addition
To clear the anticipated extra rush during the festive season, including Durga Puja, Diwali, and Chhath, Central Railway has announced a special service connecting Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) in Mumbai with Sir M. Visvesvaraya Terminal
(SMVT) in Bengaluru. This move is set to ease the heavy passenger demand on one of the country's most vital travel routes. The service will operate under train numbers 01013 from Mumbai and 01014 from Bengaluru. According to the South Western Railway, the train will initially make seven trips in each direction to cater to the festive travel period.
Decoding the Schedule
The schedule for this new service offers a distinct choice compared to existing trains. Train number 01013 (CSMT to SMVT Bengaluru) will depart from Mumbai every Saturday at 12:35 am, starting October 10 and running until November 21. It is scheduled to arrive in Bengaluru at 11:55 pm on the same day, making the total journey time approximately 23 hours and 20 minutes. In the reverse direction, train number 01014 (SMVT Bengaluru to CSMT) will leave Bengaluru every Sunday at 4:30 am, from October 11 to November 22. This service will reach CSMT in Mumbai at 4:05 am the next day. These timings provide a late-night departure from Mumbai and an early-morning departure from Bengaluru.
Route and Key Halts
The train will connect several key towns and cities across Maharashtra and Karnataka, boasting 24 designated halts during its journey. Important stops along the route include Dadar, Thane, Kalyan, Lonavala, and Pune in Maharashtra. After entering Karnataka, the train will halt at major junctions such as Belagavi, Londa, SSS Hubballi, Davangere, and Arsikere before terminating at SMVT Bengaluru. The extensive list of stoppages makes this train a convenient option for passengers travelling to and from these intermediate locations, enhancing connectivity across the region.
Coach Composition and Comfort
The special train is configured with a focus on air-conditioned travel, reflecting the preferences of long-distance passengers. It will comprise a total of 22 coaches. This includes two AC 2-Tier coaches and a significant number of eighteen AC 3-Tier coaches. The composition is completed by two Luggage-cum-Guard-cum-Generator Vans. The absence of non-AC sleeper or general unreserved coaches suggests this service is positioned to offer a more comfortable, albeit potentially pricier, journey for overnight travellers. Passengers are advised to check fare details and book tickets through the official IRCTC website or app.
What This Means for Travellers
The introduction of this weekly special, even if temporary, is a significant development for the Mumbai-Bengaluru route. It directly addresses the perennial issue of high demand and limited availability of tickets, especially during peak seasons. While the journey time is comparable to other superfast expresses on the route, its schedule offers a new permutation for passengers to plan their travel. Furthermore, with discussions around a future Vande Bharat sleeper service on this same corridor, this special train could be a precursor to more permanent and faster services linking the two metropolises.
