Pune: Indian Railways Introduce Lonavala Stop for Chennai Express and Gadag Express on a Trial Basis

Reported By Varad Bhatkhande

Lonavala, 11th October 2024: The Union Ministry of Railways has decided that the famous Chennai Express, popular among residents of Western Maharashtra travelling to South India, especially Tamil Nadu, will now, on an experimental basis, stop at Lonavala, the tourism hub of Pune District. The train, which previously ran from Dadar Central to Chennai Central, covering a distance of about 1,284 kilometres, used to stop at Kalyan Junction, Pune Junction, Solapur, Wadi, Raichur, Guntakal Junction, Renigunta Junction, and Arakkonam Junction. The return service of train number 12163, which is train number 12164, departs from Chennai Central, arrives at Dadar Central, and will also stop at Lonavala.

Similarly, the Gadag Express will also have an experimental stop at Lonavala. The CSMT Gadag Express runs from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) in Mumbai to Gadag Junction (GDG) in Gadag. Some of the key stops include Dadar Central, Thane Railway Station, Kalyan Junction, Pune Junction, Kurduwadi Junction, Solapur, Vijayapura (Bijapur), Bagalkot Junction, Badami, and Gadag Junction. This is a well-known train for people from Western Maharashtra travelling to South India, especially Karnataka. The return service of train number 11139, which is train number 11130, departs from Gadag Junction, arrives at CSMT, and will also stop at Lonavala.

With Lonavala Station added, people from Maval Taluka will now have easier access to this important train. The order for these changes was issued by Senior Divisional Operations Manager Brajesh Rai, Mumbai Division.

Here are the timings for 12163 Lokmanya Tilak Terminus – Dr MGR Chennai Central Superfast Express (Chennai Express) and its return service 12164:

– The train will arrive at Kalyan Junction at 7:27 PM and depart at 7:30 PM, with a 3-minute halt. The return service will arrive at 11:40 AM and depart at 11:45 AM, with a 5-minute halt.
– The train will arrive at Lonavala at 8:56 PM and depart at 8:58 PM, with a 2-minute halt. The return service will arrive at 12:30 PM and depart at 12:42 PM, with a 2-minute halt.
– The train will arrive at Pune Station at 10:05 PM and depart at 10:10 PM, with a 5-minute halt. The return service will arrive at Pune Station at 2:17 PM and depart at 2:20 PM, with a 3-minute halt.

For 11139 Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus – Gadag Junction Express (Gadag Express) and its return service:

– The train will arrive at Kalyan Junction at 10:15 PM and depart immediately, with a 1-minute stop. The return service will arrive at 3:33 AM and depart at 3:36 AM, with a 5-minute halt.
– The train will arrive at Lonavala at 11:51 PM and depart at 11:53 PM, with a 2-minute halt. The return service will arrive at 2:05 AM and depart at 2:07 AM, with a 2-minute halt.
– The train will arrive at Pune Station at 1:05 AM and depart at 1:10 AM, with a 5-minute halt. The return service will arrive at Pune Station at 1:05 AM and depart at 1:10 AM, with a 5-minute halt.