@first blogger:
Please provide the PNR number for better understanding of the discussion.

@first blogger:
from where to where?

@first blogger:
yes u have change get conform ticket

@first blogger:
Yes happy. I guess it will run on Diesel traction. But it has less stoppages and it could have a stop at Bhimavaram too.

@Abhishek Chanda BBS: Mar 18 (04:34PM)
i still believe some obvious stops are missing like dadar, kalyan, lonavala etc

@anon: Mar 18 (04:55PM)
There is no chance of stop at Dadar as this train starts from LTT and Dadar does not fall in the route. A stop at Kalyan is obvious for many trains but maybe this train has not been given one. Deccan Queen has no stop at Kalyan. Lonavala stop is not an obvious one as some trains like Hussainsagar Exp also dont have stop at Lonavala.

@Manish: Mar 18 (05:23PM)
Karjat ,Lonavala are technical halts so trains do halt here though it is only even for a few minutes.
iam travelling on this route for the last 30 years and funnily it halts at khandala as well though it is not a technical halt.

@Misenkiser: Mar 18 (07:26PM)
Khandala is a technical halt. The brake checking happens at Khandala.

@first blogger:
I got this message when I was trying to post a legitimate entry ; "Sorry!! Insulting language cannot be included in blog posts.". I wanted to indicate that the train also halts at halt between Khandala and Karjat, about 4 kms from Khandala (Mky-Hill), but I am not allowed to use that word.

@MST IndianRailways: Mar 19 (08:35AM)
Brake checking is needed more when you travel downhill till Karjat.
When travelling towards lonavala which is not appreciable altitude than khandala why is it needed?

@first blogger:
LTT-SC POWERED by Disel
SC-BZA powered by electric engine.
BZA-VSKP disel engine.

@anon: Mar 19 (10:47AM)
This train needs a reversal at BZA only. Maybe they could run it entirely with a Diesel from Kazipet shed. Even the transition for Konark from Electric/Diesel to Diesel/Electric takes place at Kazipet and not at SC. hence it may entirely run on Diesel

@first blogger:
BZA, SC and WADI has maximum stoppage time.
So transition doesn't take place at Kazipet

@first blogger:
The only disappointing thing is it's composition. They could have included 12 SL and 4 AC Coaches, since demand is high on this sector. There was a notification once by Central Railways to make the Konark Express a 24 coacher, by adding some reserved coaches. But, that was not done. Konark is still a 21 coacher. I hope the capacity of these trains(LTT - VSKP, Konark) are increased in near future.

@anon: Mar 19 (10:47AM)
LTT-pune electric line...it obvious

@anon: Mar 19 (11:08AM)
LTT - PUNE is electric, but most trains which approach LTT/CSTM from Wadi side run on Diesels till LTT/CSTM. One can find numerous examples. 7031/7032, 2701/2702, Konark, Udyan express, Chennai mail, etc etc, Only electric bankers are attached in LNL - Karjat sections

@Abhishek Chanda BBS: Mar 19 (11:05AM)
that line ha many problem for 24-25 compartment as it is full diesel line oreover pune karjat section also.
but LTT-VSKP has only 18 as per now it can be increased to 10SL, 3 3AC, 1 2AC, 6 SLR cum guard coache...hope they will update soon, becaue thee railway authoritie neglect visakhapatnam division but if train starts...the demand will be clearly visible.hoping for increase in frequency also.

@Abhishek Chanda BBS: Mar 19 (11:05AM)
CSTM used to operate trains with 18 coaches, consequent to expansion of MST of some platforms in 2008 it could accomodate 22 coaches.Konark which is srarts from CSTM at present has 21 and one extra AC or sleeper is added as and when demand arises.
Let us see if 2749 gets a good response then in future it should run with 22/24 coaches as it operates from LTT.

@first blogger:
Though LTT-Pune section is electrified the stoppage time is only 5 min and it may not be possible to change power from E to D.

@first blogger:
The journey time will reduce by another 1 to 2 hrs if it is routed via GNT-Nadikudi and Bibinagar.
Reversal of engine at BZA is not required if it goes via GNT.

@Manish:
Strange. With journey date being 31.5.2010, it ought to mention the Berth No. too. Has there been a change in the system so far as Duronto booking is concerened ? Not known.

@Kapadia : Mar 17 (03:38PM)
Maybe Jiteshji/MurliJi can answer.

@Manish:
The booking status is RAC-5 which has been confirmed. So berth Bo. and coach No. will be provided only at time of chart preparation

@siddharth: Mar 17 (08:57PM)
The question here is how cum the running status was WL before and now RAC?

@Kapadia : Mar 17 (03:38PM)
No strange at all.........
Being RAC there will no berth no.
@first blogger
Status change because u booked the available ticket so next person will get first RAC

@MST IndianRailways: Mar 17 (09:54PM)
the ticket has got confirmed after booking meaning status has moved up.

@Manish:
can i get circular ticket of duranto & rajdhani

@Manish: Mar 17 (04:01PM)
Not strange at all. Whenever you look up status and its shows available, we all presume we are the only ones looking up and booking! There are thousands, rather lakhs of people like us, who are doing the same thing. So you get into the queue. Note that simply seeing Waitlist/Available does not indicate HOW MANY are available. By the time you book, somebody has already done that booking before you! Plus W/L/RAC movement for any train, not only Duranto, is dynamic and in the season, you will find lots of people trying to book, cancel, and so on.
Yes since it is RAC confirmation, it will show on chart preparation. Here comes the play of Passenger Logic. There may be quotas involved such as Ladies, senior citizens, HO, other quotas etc., which are fixed, plus system logic will try to allocate seats/berths on 'family' basis i.e. two-six persons on a PNR. Therefore you will find that the CNF on RAC is made to wait for the above considerations to be worked out before allocating the actual berth on RAC/WL CNF tickets! The list is by no means exhaustive. Good wishes to all !

@anon: Mar 17 (11:32PM)
Yes you can: Here are the Rules..but in Durantos, you will NOT get the advantage of getting down at intermediate stations (you can get down, but your ticket will not be endorsed and journey will be treated as completed end to end) and in Rajdhanis it can only be to stations where it normally halts. Please contact your reservation office for issue of such tickets; Best of luck and good wishes. Taken from indianrailways.gov.in
qoute
Circular Journey Ticket (AS ON 1.5.07)
(1) Normal rules on Break Journey will not apply in case of Circular Journey Tickets for such circular journey which commences and completes at the same station. Return Journey on the shortest route or on a route upto 15% longer than the shortest route will not be treated as circular journey for this purpose. Circular Journey Tickets can be issued for all classes. Before issuing Circular Journey Ticket, the passenger should be asked to advise the names of maximum eight stations (excluding originating/destination station) where he wants to break the journey.
(2) Validity period - The validity period for the ticket will be calculated at the sum of journey days and break journey days - journey days to be calculated @ 1 day per 400 kms distance or part thereof and break journey days to be calculated @ 1 day per 200 Kms. The ticket will be valid from the day of journey indicated on the ticket. There will be no restriction on commencing the break journey. The passenger will be required to put his signature with date on the ticket on commencement of journey.
(3) Break Journey - On a circular journey ticket the maximum number of break journey will be 8 (eight). The endorsement of break-journey is not required on Circular Journey Tickets.
(4) Fare for Circular Journey ticket - The circular journey ticket will be charged for two single journeys, each journey being taken as half of the total distance. Reservation charges for different legs of journeys, supplementary charge on super-fast, etc. will be levied extra. If a passenger travels in higher class or by higher category of trains, he will be required to pay the difference of fares for such distance on point to point basis.
Note Number 4 "higher class or by higher category of trains"
Unquote

@Murli: Mar 18 (06:17AM)
Plz peruse the full reply post again.
It is strange to us in so far as there is no berth number alloted. There is nothing strange as fas as RAC getting confirmed in the intervening short period. Do you mean to say that berth will be alloted only at the time of chart preparation and the passengers' ticket will be berth -less for more than 2 months ? The system ought to generate berth No. at the time final booking status is clicked and ticket is booked. It has still no berth No. and that is strange to us but note that this is not uncommon in Rlys.

@Murli: Mar 18 (06:17AM)
@Kapadia
Just to clarify again.
First I checked the availability status which showed WL/Available.
Next I booked the ticket and got a confirmed reservation at booking itself but berth number was not allotted.
Then I again checked the availability after booking which showed RAC6/RAC1.

@anon: Mar 17 (11:32PM)
CJT can be had for DURONTO but NOT for RAJDHANI. CJTs are issued for a particular class of journey on standard fares whereas Rajdhanis & Shatabdis have point to point ALL INCLUSIVE fares which do not match standard fares.

@Manish: Mar 18 (04:59PM)
Dear all,
This prompts me to share my personal experience in 2007 while booking 05 3A berths by Navjeevan Exp. On printing my particulars the Resv. Clerk said the status was WL/5, I okayed. On seeing the ticket it was RAC/6-10. The same evening on checking the status at home, it said CNF. I don't think this is strange. Sometimes status moves faster than our imagination while at other times even WL/1 refuses to budge.

Suppose I am trying to book a ticket. On checking status I found WL/Available. If I proceed to book ticket at this status I will get confirmed one but at the seat no it will be printed as confirmed.(Seat No will be alloted at the chart preparation)
I booked once at this status and got the above result.

@Jitesh: Mar 18 (09:27PM)
Yes, this is same as my case. But after ticket is booked, why the status was RAC6/RAC1 in my case? It should have been WL/RAC1 as initially before booking of ticket it was WL/Available.

@Jhentee Jivraj:
In some earlier blog you had told that you would be arriving by Lokshakti in the same day in morning. If that is the case, then there will not be sufficient time for you to go to Ghatkopar and freshen up and then go to Kalyan.
Otherwise, the easiest way to go to Kalyan from Ghatkopar is by local train. You will get a direct train from Ghatkopar. It would be safe if you leave by 7 am so that you reach kalyan with sufficient time to locate the platform on which Mangala Exp would come.

@Manish: Mar 18 (06:37PM)
Sir,
you are right recalling my statement. I will be arriving as scheduled. but leaving the Mubai depends on confirmed seats. as the journey is so long by train.
and thank you for suggestion to go by local train.
further if I may say, leaving mumbai next day also is not bad idea, if confirmed tickets are coming my way.
it is getting too complex with lots of trains available but no confimed tickets/

@Jhentee Jivraj: Mar 18 (10:00PM)
Board the train at Panvel instead of Kalyan. Panvel is easily accessible by local train from Chembur.

@MST IndianRailways: Mar 19 (08:22AM)
Why board from Panvel when he can do from Kalyan itself?Then he has to again go to Chembur/Kurla from Ghatkopar to catch local train for Panvel.

@first blogger:
Bright chances for RAC. In view of limited berths and summer season, it may be difficult for fully confirmed status. However chances are not worth ignoring at all. Just wait for 2 more weeks. You may try out in summer spl on the route from Ahmedabad as a standby tickets. Your WL ticket isunder Remote location General WL and therefore it weighs lesser in comparison to General WL and PQWL.

@Kapadia : Mar 17 (05:37PM)
Dear Mr. Kapadia,
I have been closely following your discussion on PQWL and its priority over other categories of WL. An interesting note is written in the current WESTERN ZONE Time Table on page C 12 para 3.2 (after All-India Time Table and map)under the heading "STATUS OF TICKET". This should lay to rest all doubts regarding priorities in confirmation.

@anon: Mar 18 (07:04PM)
Thanks for info.

@Kapadia : Mar 18 (07:07PM)
@Blogger at 7:04 PM
If you have access to this timetable please try to highlight here what is written there.

@Kapadia : Mar 17 (05:37PM)
Passenger 2 can never come in RAC, because the RL quota does not have RAC for it. If was, would'nt the passenger have got it during booking time itself? What made him get WL1?

@MST IndianRailways: Mar 19 (08:40AM)
wrong sir
Remote Location Quota also have RAC feature.
Let me search a pnr for you I will post it here.

@MST IndianRailways: Mar 19 (08:40AM)
Check the status for 2137 Punjab Mail from BPL TO NDLS in SL for 22/03, you will get RAC status and if you book the ticket you will be in Remote Location Quota.

@Jitesh: Mar 19 (08:48AM)
But what Mr. MST has told is also correct. Maybe it depends on the train and class.

@first blogger:
Dhiraj you are correct. this train is more like mumbai sampark kranti express and I totally agree with you that the origin on this train could have been some place else other than mumbai. But sampark kranti trains as you may realise have been introduced to provide fast connectivity between states and national capital. Dont you think that its a bit ridiculous for someone wanting to go to Delhi from CSTM or MMR to have to travel excessvely thrugh marathwada when there are faster options bypassing that region? I can totally understand if you said that MSK should start from KOP/LTR/NED/RTN.... Fortunately now many north south lines cris-crossing Maharashtra have now opened up to broadguage travel and as such people across the state have good option to reach delhi faster than what would be the case if MSK was routed the way you suggest. i actually was hopeful that they would have the train run to different parts of maharashtra on different days. The train does not have to terminate as CSTM. Afterall APSK starts from tirupati. I think the train could start from solapur-kurduwadi-latur-parbhani-ned-akola, ngp/bsl..bpl...

@first blogger:
"Maharashtra Darshan" Exp :-)

@anon: Feb 24 (12:11AM)
it will be much easier to extend this train to PUNE via vasai road - bhiwandi- kalyan- karjat - lonavala route.
and the train will get some mileage in Maharashtra too....
so the name will get justice Maharashtra Sampark Karanti

@first blogger:
Your tickets are confirmed and no question of any worry. Bogey No and berth Nos. will be alloted at the time of chart and hence will be available just before 2-3 hrs from the departure time on journey date. Note that your tickets progressed from RAC to Confirmed and hence no berth allotment for the time being. The only negative factor in your case is that all four of you may not get berths in the same coach. But with the help of TTE and on request to the co-passenger, berths can be inter-changed.

@Kapadia : Mar 18 (06:51PM)
The ticket is from GNWL. 100% chances that all 4 passengers will be, not just in the same coach, but also in the same cabin.

@MST IndianRailways: Mar 19 (08:43AM)
Even if the tickets are from GNWL and then to RAC, I still differ from your views. The migration of RAC tickets to confirmed must have occured only on the happening of cancellations in general tickets. As the journey date is 15.4.2010, there is no question presently for release of unused specified category quotas. How do we know with certainty that current PNR will be alloted berths at the time of chart preparation either from release of unused quotas or against ticket cancellations. Can't be sure that allotment will happen in the same coach. Is there any other sure basis you are looking at, other than GNWL basis as mentioned in your reply.

@first blogger:
Please take your tickets to the nearest PRS and ask for boarding change. If there is any difference in fares, it will be collected. I don't there will be diference, but just in case there is you should be prepared. Please approach the PRS Supervisor, with a letter asking for boarding change. If it is an e-ticket ID proof of one of the passengers would be required. That is the procedure laid down.
However, I think you can safely go to CSTM and board the train since I think tickets will be checked only after the train leaves the Mumbai suburban halts for the train. Good wishes.

@Murli: Mar 18 (06:03AM)
i) It will not be possible for boarding change to a station before the station from which the ticket is booked.
ii) Here in this case, there is a fare difference ( CSTM to Chennai and Dadar to Chennai) and if you try to board the train at CST, then be prepared for full fare ticket from CST to Dadar (and not only - fare difference) as well as hefty fine.
iii) Approahing PRS supervisor with a request letter will not be of any use as they are not authorised to backward station boarding change.
iv) The question will not be of any fare difference but you will have to pay independently for one more ticket from CST to Dadar as your jouney ticket has nothing to do with your travelling from CST to Dadar. If it is AC class ticket and travel, then ticket cost CST to Dadar and fine will be very heavy and you would like to avoid that.
v) The fare from CST to Dadar is ...
Sleeper AC 3-tier AC 2-tier
Rs. 120 Rs. 210 Rs. 279
and the fine for ticketless travelling. You may decide to buy another ticket itself for CST to Dadar.

@Kapadia : Mar 18 (09:39AM)
Plz add iia) in the abvoe reply ....
iia) Even if there is no fare difference between CST - Chennai and Dadar Chennai, be prepared to pay for full ticket cost and hefty fine for a travel between CST to Dadar as this will be independent travel and no question of linking to your travel from Dadar to Chennai. ..

@Murli: Mar 18 (06:03AM)
Can you re-confirm Sir ? Just difference in fare. I posted my views in earlier 2 - reply posts.

@Kapadia : Mar 18 (12:17PM)
You are correct. Boarding point station cannot be changed to a backward station.In this case it is not possible to change boarding point to Mumbai CST from Dadar.

@first blogger:
On paper it is 03 minutes but that is sufficient for a family to board. Only you have to be careful about the right platform (Western Rly. or Central Rly.). Display boards are there to indicate coaches. The chart will also tell you the position of your coach from the engine. Better still porters know the exact location. All bloggers who say that you will be charged for your journey from CSTM to DDR are right. You will not get upper class tkt from the window. You have to buy II class open tkt, approach the TTE and pay the excess fare without fine.

@first blogger:
There are hundreds of passengers that board the train at Dadar, and not just this train, this is with many trains, and its happening successfully over years. So boarding at Dadar with not just a family, a party of 100 people is well proven. Dont worry.. you get sufficient time.
.
If you say the train halts for 3 minutes, this means 180 seconds. Every passenger needs 5 seconds to board (taken on a higher side). This means in 180 seconds, 36 passengers will board from one door of a coach.

@Murli: Mar 18 (06:03AM)
Sir, pls do not suggest travelling without ticket (suggested here from CSTM to Dadar). We need to suggest legitimate options.

@Kapadia : Mar 18 (12:17PM)
@other bloggers: You have quoted the rules correctly. But the Minimum distance criteria applies. ... What I had said was ... you can board the train at the originating station since checking normally starts from outside the suburban section, especially after DR. I said this because in practice, the Railways realise that sometimes passengers board the trains on the Mumbai Division either before/after the actual station. The ticket checkers are only concerned about Suburban passholders who try and board the train, because they see vacant seats on the chart.
As for a passenger who holds a ticket just 3 mns short of the original boarding point, they may not harass him or ask for penalty. That has been my experience. I have seen this also happening, especially when families are involved.
I had suggested that he approach the Supervisor, who can take the view. Normally they do allow it depending upon the circumstances, and the mood he/she may be in. But I have found that WR/CR people in Mumbai are helpful, provided your approach is correct. I am NOT saying he will be allowed to travel the extra distance free, but he MAY BE ... There are always exceptions to the Rules, provided that the Exceptions DO NOT BECOME the rule !
Good wishes and thank you for referring to me.

@first blogger:
PNR No. pl.

@first blogger:
You seem to be inquiring for the availability of confirmed ticket. Not at all available and by this time, the WL might have gone up. In case you are holding a booked ticket with WL status, plz post PNR No.

@Kapadia : Mar 17 (03:57PM)
Lets figure out what class is he talking abt. If its SL, then quote good chances.

@MST IndianRailways: Mar 17 (10:07PM)
hi, you are right ,, my class is SL.. the day i booked the ticket(11/03/10) it was WL 5, but still it is the same, i just want to know ill it get confirmed by 4th of april or shall i go for tatkal.

@Kapadia : Mar 17 (03:57PM)
No, already i have a booked ticked, i just want to know ill it get confirm or not.
PNR No: 431 5821205

@KRISHNA:
Yes, maybe this train has a combined 1AC and 2AC coach.

@KRISHNA:
If the site gives some availability status, this means the train has 1st AC. It cannot happen that the site shows AVAILABLE 1, and no coach available.

@MST IndianRailways: Mar 17 (09:57PM)
Then why in official timetable it is given like that?

@KRISHNA: Mar 18 (10:23AM)
The 1AC coach may have been recently added and so not updated in the timetable book.