Ganga Kaveri Express

Ganga Kaveri Express

Ganga Kaveri Express train board
Overview
Service type	Express
Locale	Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh & Bihar
First service	16 February 1977;48 years ago (1977-02-16)
Current operator	Southern Railway
Route
Termini	MGR Chennai Central (MAS) Chhapra Junction (CPR)
Stops	22
Distance travelled	2,343 km (1,456 mi)
Average journey time	40 hrs
Service frequency	Bi-weekly
Train number	12669 / 12670
On-board services
Classes	AC First Class, AC 2 Tier, AC 3 Tier, Sleeper Class, General Unreserved.
Seating arrangements	Yes
Sleeping arrangements	Yes
Catering facilities	Available
Observation facilities	Large windows
Baggage facilities	Available
Other facilities	Below the seats
Technical
Rolling stock	LHB coach
Track gauge	1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in)
Operating speed	55 km/h (34 mph) average including halts.
Route map

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Express, shortened to terminate at Madras Central, with AC sleeper coaches introduced and the Green and Yellow rakes withdrawn.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. ^{[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6]}

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 & 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	Chhapra Junction	1	—	21:00
2	Gudur Junction	1	19:23	19:25	Ballia	1	22:05	22:10
3	Ongole	1	21:33	21:35	Ghazipur City	1	23:10	23:15
4	Vijayawada Junction	1	23:45	23:55	Varanasi Junction	2	01:10	01:20
5	Khammam	2	01:34	01:35	Bhadohi	2	01:56	01:58
6	Warangal	2	02:49	02:51	Prayagraj Junction	2	04:05	04:30
7	Sirpur Kaghaznagar	2	05:19	05:20	Satna	2	06:55	07:00
8	Balharshah	2	06:55	07:00	Katni	2	08:15	08:20
9	Chandrapur	2	07:15	07:17	Jabalpur	2	10:00	10:10
10	Sevagram	2	09:00	09:02	Pipariya	2	11:58	12:00
11	Nagpur Junction	2	10:25	10:30	Itarsi Junction	2	13:25	13:35
12	Betul	2	12:58	13:00	Betul	2	15:08	15:10
13	Itarsi Junction	2	15:35	15:45	Nagpur Junction	2	18:15	18:20
14	Pipariya	2	16:33	16:35	Sevagram	2	19:18	19:20
15	Jabalpur	2	18:40	18:50	Chandrapur	2	21:05	21:07
16	Katni	2	20:03	20:05	Balharshah	2	22:05	22:10
17	Satna	2	21:15	21:20	Sirpur Kaghaznagar	2	22:59	23:00
18	Prayagraj Junction (Train Reversal)	3	01:45	02:10	Warangal	3	01:23	01:25
19	Bhadohi	3	03:46	03:48	Khammam	3	03:04	03:05
20	Varanasi Junction	3	05:10	05:20	Vijayawada Junction	3	05:10	05:20
21	Ghazipur City	3	06:35	06:40	Ongole	3	07:23	07:25
22	Ballia	3	07:35	07:40	Gudur Junction	3	09:43	09:45
23	Chhapra Junction	3	09:35	—	MGR Chennai Central	3	12:10	—

^{[7] [8]}

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

See also

• Tamil Nadu Express
• Sanghamithra Express
• Bagmati Express
• Manikarnika Express
• Indian Railways – Travel Coach types and their seating / berths

References

1. "Altered Trains". IRFCA.com. 11 April 2015.
2. "Train Timetable 2670". whereincity.com. 11 April 2015.
3. "Train Timetable 2669". whereincity.com. 11 April 2015.
4. "Railways Chart". Allahabad Nagar Nigam. 11 April 2015.
5. "Ganga Kaveri Express Info". india9.com. 11 April 2015.
6. "Chhapra Set to be Final Halt for Ganga Kaveri Express". Hindustan Times. 11 April 2015.
7. "12669 Train Time Table and Route Details". EaseMyTrip. Retrieved 1 January 2026.
8. "12670 GANGAKAVERI EXP Train Route and Schedule". ConfirmTkt. Retrieved 1 January 2026.