Shatabdi Express trains are a series of superfast passenger trains introduced by Indian Railways for the ease and convenience of passengers commuting between major cities. These trains are operated on relatively shorter distances as compared to other fast trains in India like Duronto and Rajdhani Express. Shatabdi Express trains connect Indian metropolitans and also cities that are significant in terms of business, tourism, or pilgrimage.
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In Hindi, Sanskrit, and many other Indian languages, the word Shatabdi means ‘centenary’ aka the hundredth anniversary. This series was introduced in 1988 to commemorate the 100th birth anniversary of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India. The very first Shatabdi Express, introduced by the then Railway Minister Madhav Rao Scindia, operated between New Delhi and Gwalior and was later extended till Jhansi.
Indian Railways in a bid to clear the extra rush during festival season and also for the convenience of passengers, it has decided to run three more festival special trains for the benefit of passengers.
Details of these trains are as follows:
1) Train No 02009/02010 Mumbai Central – Ahmedabad Special Shatabdi Express (Daily except Sunday)
Train No 02009 Mumbai Central – Ahmedabad special Shatabdi Express will depart Mumbai Central daily except Sunday at 06.30 hrs, & will reach Ahmedabad at 12.45 hrs the same day. Similarly, Train No 02010 Ahmedabad – Mumbai Central special will leave Ahmedabad daily except Sunday at 14.45 hrs & will arrive at Mumbai Central at 21.20 hrs the same day. Enroute this train will halt at Borivali, Vapi, Surat, Bharuch, Vadodara, Anand, and Nadiad stations in both directions. This train comprises of AC Executive Chair Car and AC Chair Car coaches.
2). Train No 04322/04321 Bhuj – Bareilly Festival Special {42 trips}
Train No 04322 Bhuj – Bareilly special will depart Bhuj every Wednesday, Friday, Saturday & Sunday at 17.05 hrs & will reach Bareilly at 20.35 hrs the next day. This train will run from 28th Oct, 2020 to 2nd Dec, 2020. Similarly, Train No 04321 Bareilly – Bhuj special will leave Bareilly every Monday, Wednesday, Friday & Sunday at 06.35 hrs & will reach Bhuj at 09.30 hrs the next day. This train will run from 25 October to 29 Nov, 2020. Enroute this train will halt at Gandhidham BG, Samakhiali BG, Bhildi, Palanpur Jn, Abu Road, Falna, Marwar Jn, Beawar, Ajmer Jn, Kishangarh, Naraina, Phulera Jn, Jaipur, Gandhinagar JPR, Dausa, Bandikui Jn, Rajgarh, Alwar, Khairthal, Rewari Jn, Pataudi Rd, Garhi Harsaru, Gurgaon, Palam, Delhi Cantt, Delhi Sarai Rohilla, Delhi Jn, Ghaziabad, Pilkhua, Hapur, Gajraula Jn, Amroha, Moradabad, Rampur and Milak stations in both directions. Train No 04322 will also halt at Getor Jagatpura station, whereas, Train No 04321 will have an additional halt at Malakhera station. This train comprises of AC 2 Tier, AC 3 Tier, Sleeper class and Second class seating coaches.
3) Train No 04312/04311 Bhuj – Bareilly Festival Special (Tri-Weekly) {32 trips}
Train No 04312 Bhuj – Bareilly special will depart Bhuj every Monday, Tuesday & Thursday at 14.05 hrs & will reach Bareilly at 20.35 hrs the next day. This train will run from 26th Oct, 2020 to 30th Nov 2020. Similarly, Train No 04311 Bareilly – Bhuj special will leave Bareilly every Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday at 06.35 hrs & will arrive Bhuj at 12.05 hrs the next day. This train will run from 27th October to 1st Dec 2020.
Enroute this train will halt at Gandhidham BG, Samakhiali BG, Dhrangadhra, Viramgam Jn, Ambli Rd, Mahesana Jn, Palanpur Jn, Abu Road, Falna, Marwar Jn, Sojat Rd, Beawar, Ajmer Jn, Kishangarh, Naraina, Phulera Jn, Jaipur, Gandhinagar JPR, Dausa, Bandikui Jn, Rajgarh, , Alwar, Khairthal, Rewari Jn, Pataudi Rd, Garhi Harsaru, Gurgaon, Palam, Delhi Cantt, Delhi Sarai Rohilla, Delhi Jn, Ghaziabad, Pilkhua, Hapur, Gajraula Jn, Amroha, Moradabad, Rampur and Milak stations in both directions.
Train No 04312 will also halt at Getor Jagatpura station, whereas, Train No 04311 will have an additional halt at Malakhera station. This train comprises of AC 2 Tier, AC 3 Tier, Sleeper class and Second class seating coaches.
The Booking for Train No 04312 will open from 25th October 2020 and for Train No 02009/10 & 04322 will open from 26th October 2020 at nominated PRS counters and on IRCTC website. All the above trains will run as fully reserved trains.