IRCTC launches third private train Kashi Mahakal Express today. Know route, fare & timing…

• Kashi Mahakal Express, the new private train by IRCTC, will run between Varanasi and Indore.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi will flag off the new Kashi Mahakal Express today.

IRCTC : After successfully running two Tejas Express trains between New Delhi-Lucknow and Mumbai-Ahmedabad route, Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) is all set to launch to its third private train today. Termed as the Kashi Mahakal Express, the new train will run between Varanasi and Indore. Kashi Mahakal Express will be flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday, said an IRCTC official.

The new Kashi Mahakal Express will connect three places — Jyotirlinga – Omkareshwar (near Indore in Madhya Pradesh), Mahakaleshwar (Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh) and Kashi Vishwanath (Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh). IRCTC’s third private train will also connect industrial and educational hub of Indore, and Bhopal, the capital of Madhya Pradesh.

The train will begin its commercial run from February 20. The Kashi Mahakal Express will operate three days in a week — it will be a bi-weekly service through the Sultanpur-Lucknow route and a weekly service via the Prayagraj route.

Route: Kashi Mahakal Express (via Sultanpur-Lucknow)

Once the new train starts its regular run from this week, the Varanasi – Indore Kashi Mahakal Express will depart from Varanasi at 02.45 pm every Tuesday and Thursday to reach Indore at 09.40 am the next day that is on Wednesday and Friday.

Similarly, the train will start from Indore at 10.55 am every Wednesday and Friday and will reach Varanasi next morning at 06.00 am that is on Thursday and Saturday.This train will halt at Ujjain, Sant Hirdaram Nagar, Bina, Jhansi, Kanpur, Lucknow & Sultanpur stations in both directions.

Kashi Mahakal Express (via Prayagraj)

Kashi Mahakal Express will be a weekly service via Prayagraj route. Varanasi – Indore Kashi Mahakal Express will depart from Varanasi at 03.15 pm every Sunday to reach Indore at 9.40 am the next day. Indore – Varanasi Express will depart from Indore at 10.55 am every Monday and reach Varanasi at 05.00am the next day. This train will halt at Ujjain, Sant Hirdaram Nagar, Bina, Jhansi, Kanpur & Allahabad stations in both directions.

Fare: Kashi Mahakal Express will follow a dynamic fare structure like the other two Tejas Express trains. According to the IRCTC website, a one way journey from Varnasi to Indore in Kashi Mahakal Express will cost ₹1951.

Indore-Varanasi Kashi Mahakal Express will be the first private train that will run overnight. For a comfortable long distance journey, the train will feature a host of facilities. IRCTC will serve vegetarian food, housekeeping services, on-board security services and bedrolls. Along with that, every passenger will be provided a complimentary travel insurance of ₹10 lakh.

The tickets of IRCTC run Kashi Mahakal Express will be available for booking on their website and the mobile app ‘Irctc Rail Connect’. Authorized agents and online travel partners of IRCTC can also book tickets for travelers.

The train will have an advance reservation period of 120 days and will only have the general and foreign tourist quotas. The current booking will be available to the passengers on the platform itself after preparation of first chart, 4 hours to 5 minutes before the scheduled departure of the train.