Dec 20, 2005 09:39 AM
6894 Views
(Updated Dec 20, 2005 09:39 AM)
In the late 70s when Lt. Kamla Pati Tripathi was the Railway Minister of India he started a very decent and well maintained train between the Holy City Varanasi & the Commercial capital to ease the load on Kashi Exp. This train was a weely exp train all the way to Bombay VT. The train was Mahanagri Exp
Almost after decades the train still exist but with a marked difference, the shiny red coaches has been replaced by filthy stink coaches. One may be lucky if one finds that the boogies of the train are well lit. The train, which use to run on time is late by hrs together, you will be surprised if the train arrives on time at Mumbai CSTM.
Many times the A/C coaches of this train are cancelled or the A/c doesn’t work.
The tragedy doesn't end here; it's the best available option to travel to Varanasi.
Again like Pushpak (very well kept train) it is difficult to get the reservation for this train.
People generally blame the patron of the train for keeping it untidy, especially pointing that people from UP & Bihar are the cause of the same, but I would like to differ on the issue. The sorry state of Mahanagri Exp is not because of people but because CR doesn't maintain the train. The train is never cleaned & maintained.
On the CR route, preference is given to trains like Bhusawal Passenger over this train, causing delays.
Despite all these shortcomings I would still recommend this train, as this is the best available option. The alternative would be travel to ALlahabad by HWH Mail (via ALD) or take Pushpak uptill LKO.