The 20973/20974 Firozpur – Rameswaram Humsafar Express is an express train of the Indian Railways connecting Firozpur Cantonment with Rameswaram. It is currently being operated with 20973/20974 train numbers on a weekly basis. After its extension from Ajmer to Firozpur, It became as the Longest Running Humsafar category train by just surpassing SMVT Bangalore Agartala Humsafar express. And also became as 5th longest train service by Indian Railways.
| Firozpur Cantonment – Rameswaram Humsafar Express | |
|---|---|
| Overview | |
| Service type | Humsafar Express |
| Locale | Punjab,Haryana Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh & Tamil Nadu |
| First service |
|
| Current operator(s) | Northern Railway |
| Route | |
| Termini | Firozpur Cantonment (FZR) Rameswaram (RMM) |
| Stops | 41 |
| Distance travelled | 3,544 km (2,202 mi) |
| Average journey time | 60.5 hours (Approx.) |
| Service frequency | Weekly[b] |
| Train number(s) | 20973 / 20974 |
| Line(s) used |
|
| On-board services | |
| Class(es) |
|
| Disabled access |  |
| Seating arrangements | No |
| Sleeping arrangements | Couchette car |
| Catering facilities | On-board Catering |
| Observation facilities | Large windows |
| Baggage facilities | Overhead racks Baggage carriage |
| Technical | |
| Rolling stock | LHB Humsafar |
| Track gauge | 1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in) |
| Electrification | 25 kV AC, 50 Hz |
| Operating speed | 57 km/h (35 mph) |
| Rake maintenance | Firozpur Cantonment |
Background
editThe inaugural service, bearing train number No.09603 of this service was launched on 27 September 2018 at (Laxmibai Nagar Junction) by Speaker of the Lok Sabha, Sumitra Mahajan.[1][2][3] The regular services are scheduled to commencing from 2 October 2018 at Rameswaram on every Tuesdays and 6 October 2018 at Ajmer Junction on every Saturdays bearing train numbers 20974 and 20973 respectively.[4][5] It was then extended to Firozpur Cantonment from 2 October 2023.
Rakes
editThe service is completely fitted with 3-tier AC coaches designed by Indian Railways with features like LED screen display to show information about stations, train speed and will have announcement system as well, Vending machines for tea, coffee and milk, Bio toilets in compartments as well as CCTV cameras.[6][7][8] Apart from 16 AC 3-tier coaches earmarked for passengers, the train will also have 1 Pantry Car and 2 End-on Generator coaches.[3][9]
Route
editThis weekly service originates every Saturday traverses about 3,431 km (2,132 mi) through Bathinda Junction, Hanumangarh Junction, Sadulpur Junction, Churu Junction, Sikar Junction, Ringas Junction, Jaipur Junction, Ajmer Junction, Chittaurgarh Junction, Ratlam Junction, Fatehabad Chandrawatiganj Junction, Laxmibai Nagar Junction (Indore Suburban),[c] Dewas Junction, Bhopal Junction, Itarsi Junction, Nagpur Junction, Balharshah Junction, Vijayawada Junction, Gudur Junction, Chennai Egmore, Viluppuram Junction,Tiruchirappalli Junction and Manamadurai Junction reaching on Tuesdays. On the return journey, it leaves the same Tuesday traverses the same route and reaches Firozpur Cantonment on Fridays.[4] It takes 62 hours approximately to completely the service at a rate of 57 km/h (35 mph).[5][9]
Developments
editThere are also demands for this train to make a stop at Ramanathapuram, Paramakudi, Sivagangai Karaikudi Junction and Vriddhachalam Junction[10][11] as it runs with low patronage between Chennai Egmore and Rameswaram.
See also
editNotes
editReferences
edit- ^ @WesternRly (27 September 2018). "Moving towards better connectivity & infrastructure. Smt. @S_MahajanLS to start new Ajmer-Rameshwaram Humsafar Exp via Ratlam-Laxmibai Nagar(Indore). Also laying of foundation stone for proposed station building at Dr. Ambedkar Nagar & Tunnel T1 on new Indore-Dahod rail line" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 30 December 2018. Retrieved 29 September 2018 – via Twitter.
- ^ @WesternRly (27 September 2018). "A new train, Ajmer-Rameshwaram Humsafar Express, was flagged off through video conferencing by Speaker, Lok Sabha Smt. Sumitra Mahajan. This train will run via Ratlam-Laxmibai Nagar (Indore), benefitting the passengers with direct connectivity to Rameshwaram. @RatlamDRM" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 30 December 2018. Retrieved 29 September 2018 – via Twitter.
- ^ a b Devanjana, Nag (27 September 2018). "Indian Railways to introduce Humsafar Express between Ajmer-Rameswaram; 5 things to know about the new train". Financial Express. Archived from the original on 26 October 2018. Retrieved 29 September 2018.
- ^ a b "New express train between Ajmer Jn-Rameswaram". United News of India. Hyderabad. 26 September 2018. Archived from the original on 26 October 2018. Retrieved 29 September 2018.
- ^ a b @SCRailwayIndia (26 September 2018). "#Introduction of New #Humsafar Weekly Express between Ajmer Jn – Rameswaram (via Vijayawada) @RailMinIndia" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 30 December 2018. Retrieved 29 September 2018 – via Twitter.
- ^ "First look of Humsafar Express: An all new 3-Tier AC train". The Economic Times. PTI. 15 September 2016. Archived from the original on 29 September 2018. Retrieved 29 September 2018.
- ^ "Indian Railways introduce upgraded 'Humsafar Express' coaches". Business Standard. New Delhi: Press Trust of India. 14 June 2017. Archived from the original on 30 September 2018. Retrieved 29 September 2018.
- ^ "Minister of Railways Flags Off Country's First Humsafar Train". Ministry of Railways. New Delhi: Press Information Bureau. 16 December 2016. Archived from the original on 30 September 2018. Retrieved 29 September 2018.
- ^ a b "New train from Rameswaram to Ajmer". The Hindu. 29 September 2018. Archived from the original on 30 December 2018. Retrieved 29 September 2018.
- ^ "Karti Chidambaram for re-scheduling of some trains". The Hindu. 26 June 2019. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 31 December 2021.
- ^ "Train Schedules". www.indiarailinfo.com. Retrieved 13 February 2024.