@first blogger:
It must be bcoz of poor printing of ticket and hence the low readability or confusion in reading 6 as against acutal 8.
Plz be assured that the timing is 18.10 at Panvel

@first blogger:
No Sleeper class in this train. Only Chair Car and AC-3tier.

@Jhentee Jivraj:
It is only because of this SMB that you are able to travel at very cheap rates in Garib Rath trains. Else how to get the cost down to 60% of other express trains?

@first blogger:
The Garib Rath is upto Trivandrum (Kochuveli) and running on every Monday and Friday - departing Mumbai LTT @ 4.55 pm.
The fare from Mumbai LTT to Kochuveli is :
>> Chair Car AC 3-tier <<
<< Rs. 645/- Rs. 771/- >>
This is a regular train running throughout the year ( this is not a spl train ).

@first blogger:
CSTM-CAPE is not the "Garib Rath" it is the 6381/6382 Jayanti Janata Express
"Garib Rath" is LTT-KCVL (Trivandrum-Kochuveli)

@first blogger:
You do not have a choice of PQ. Passengers booking from starting station to intermediate are put in PQ by the system. The only way you dont want to get in PQ is book till a station for which berths are alloted from GN quota (e.g. check LTT to Shoranur and see what comes).

@first blogger:
A Pooled Quota Waiting List ('PQWL') is shared by several small stations in a particular region. E.g., Tiruppur, Salem, etc., share in the quota and wait list for some trains originating from Trivandrum or Mangalore. As another example, the 2723 Andhra Pradesh Exp. has three quotas, for Secunderabad - New Delhi, Secunderabad - nagpur, and Secunderabad - Bhopal. There is also a pooled quota for passengers travelling from Secunderabad to stations beyond Bhopal but short of Jhansi; if this quota is exhausted, a passenger is placed in the pooled quota waiting list. Such remote location quotas are also provided when there is a very strong demand for the train in question, because of which, without such additional quotas, all seats or berths might be fully consumed by passengers from the originating station leaving nothing available for those wishing to travel from intermediate points.

@jack: Mar 03 (09:36PM)
Another fact is that PQ is end to end quota.

@first blogger:
In which case, for my return journey also, when I have booked from starting to destination, the system has put me in PQWL? This defies the logic (if indian railways are following any logic!!!).
Simply put this looks like white collared cheating the public - without informing the process to public.
Think, I should buy tatkal quota. Even for that system indicates 200 tatkal charges and 175 as additional reservation charges!!! something is grossly wrong.....

@anon: Mar 04 (07:09AM)
pls publish the return PNR number and we will figure out.

@anon: Mar 04 (09:01AM)
As reuested PNR details for return journey by Matsyagandha exp Starting from Mangalore to Kurla terminus
PNR 4215328385 current status is still shown as W/L 18/19, and when you visit Indian railways site for checking PNR, it shows PQWL. But if you visit the same site for checking accomodation availability, the W/L is shown much less. Just can't understand what is being displayed and what is being shown in PNR check and when you want to buy a ticket, the status is still different.
This booking is for end-to-end.
Any solution?

@anon: Mar 04 (01:28PM)
As per tePNr information provided booking is between Byndoor Mookambika Road and LTT . This by no means is source to destination as the souorce of this train is MAO which is 179 Kms from BYNR. So you are traveling only from an intermediate station so this pooled qouta wait list.

@Dharmaraj : Mar 04 (01:42PM)
This ticket is from Mangalore to Kurla terminus. the boarding point is given as Mookambika station.
Just because the boarding point is an intermediary station, should it go to PQWL?
The application window in internet booking has from station and to station drop down boxes and separate box for boarding point. Accordingly, it was provided (and ticket also is printed in that fashion) from mangalore to Kurla - boarding point is Byandoor (Mookambika station).

@anon: Mar 04 (05:21PM)
You Queried For : PNR Number : 421-5328385

Now the status is shown as below:
Journey Details
Train Number Train Name Date
(DD-MM-YYYY) From To Reserved Upto Boarding Point Class
2620 MATSYAGANDA EXP 7- 3-2010 MAQ LTT LTT BYNR 3A
S. No. Booking Status
(Coach No , Berth No., Quota) Current Status
(Coach No , Berth No.)
Passenger 1 W/L 22,PQWL W/L 15
Passenger 2 W/L 23,PQWL W/L 16
Charting Status CHART NOT PREPARED
Please Note that in case the Final Charts have not been prepared, the Current Status might change at a later stage.
Not sure whether it is PQWL (if so, why?) or normal W/L?
And this was booked on 25th Feb, when the availability was shown as RAC in Internet enquiry.

@anon: Mar 04 (05:37PM)
It is pooled quota WL ticket. For this train, the status of obtained of intermediate station, even if the ticket is booked from Mangalore. No point in booking from Mangalore and putting boarding station as intermediate station, you do not get any advantage, its a wasted of money, as in this case. I have observed that this train has only 2 quotas GN and PQ, no other RS/RL quotas.

@anon: Mar 04 (05:21PM)
On the IRCTC page it is very clearly mentioned that the ticket would be only beissued for quta available from boarding point till reservation upto point. The bookinf point does not make a difference. What you needed to dowas to book MAQ LTT with boarding point MAQ, then go to any PRS counter 24 hours before departure and request for a change of boarding point to Mookambika.Then you wuold have come under GN WL.

@Jhentee Jivraj:
Both trains are good. Garib rath would always be the first option as it is quick and cheap. All the best for Tatkal.
Also you can easily refresh yourself at Ghatkopar and proceed to LTT,Kurla. BDTS to Ghatkopar would take about an hour by local train. From BDTS you have to go to Bandra local station and catch a train to Dadar. At Dadar,change over to the central line and catch a train going towards Thane/Kalyan. You would have sufficient time to refresh and go to LTT.

@Manish Panda: Mar 05 (07:18PM)
Thank you for your guidance.
I hope I donot get the Side Middle Berth, as introduced by Lalooji, in 3AC

@Jhentee Jivraj: Mar 05 (07:54PM)
My Obssrvation:
while booking in Garib Rath(through irctc) if you choose Lower Berth option then it never gives lower berth and gives you any of side berth, so while booking with irctc in GR I always prefer to take Upper Berth(easily available)

@Jhentee Jivraj:
from ghatkopar thane will be a good option to board the train By local u can go to thane It takes around 25 min. to reach to thane. rather going to LTT means lokmanya tilak terminus u have to take a taxi for it with very heavy traffic .But remember GR didn't stops at thane.

@Jhentee Jivraj:
3E and Third AC in Garib Rath are one and the same classes, they both are not different.

@MST IndianRailways: Feb 28 (10:35AM)
Though, I have not travelled in Garib Rath, my question regarding what is the difference between 3AC Economy and Thrid AC. as far as fares are concernted, I just found from one train #2268, Ahmedabad-Mumbai, duronto, as under:
3AC Economy Rs.490, all inclusive,
Thrid AC Rs.540 all inclusive.
There is difference of Rs.50. And this must be deciding factor for comforts too.
And there is not AC chair car in this train.
The earlier reply said that 3AC Economy and Third AC are same. and Yet the difference of Rs.50 !
If some explanation is given, please help.

3E would have 3 births on the side, whereas 3AC would have only 2 births on the side.

@anon: Mar 04 (12:42PM)
So your reply revives the memory of IR drive to increae one berth in every box of Eight berths to nine, on the side and between two.
The economy was so horrible for day travell, that side sitting passengers felt uneasy when it came to sitting on the split plank in middle with two passengers, one on each side.
The decision to introduce Three berths on side was rightly challenged in time. actually it violets the consumers equality. In day time where the allotte of ninth berth will sit. It was just punishment for others who are in oposite berths to side berth. The idea itself degrades passengers to mere cargo, 'fit him somewhere yaar!' attitude of Bureaucrates.
Railways had agreed to withdraw this
Laloo Prasad Yadav's success as railway minister had many wrong decisions, and this one is in public eye.

@Jhentee Jivraj:
I am not sure about thia particular train but most of the Garib raths still have the SMB on 3AC so to certain degree it is similar to 3E but again the cost difference between GR 3AC and regular 3AC is huge so this may be justified.
The garibrath chair car have a 3x3 that is 6 chair in a row confirguration so are much worse than the 3AC with the SMB.
The CC is mainly for travel between intermediate stations.

@Dharmaraj : Mar 04 (01:33PM)
GR 3AC is exactly 3E class, not just to certain degree

@MST IndianRailways: Mar 04 (05:57PM)
Sorry 3AC in GR and 3E in GR are two different things. 3E has SMB, WHILE 3ac DOES NOT HAVE IT. As for sitting for the 3E passenger in SMB, the seat has been provided in the bay itself, making the bay as 9 to sleep at night, and sitting as 4 x 3 )bay) and 1+1 on the side ! I have used this only in November 09.
IN GR you pay for bedroll Rs 25/- and for food also.

@Murli: Mar 04 (06:02PM)
in GR 3AC, there are side middle berths also. I have travelled in plenty of Garib raths. Infact railways interchangeably use GR 3AC coaches as 3E coaches in Duranto Express. Remove the jazzy paper of the NZM-Pune Duranto 3E coach and you will see that its a GR 3AC coach. Its exactly the same, just that 3E is priced much higher than GR 3 AC.

@Murli: Mar 04 (06:02PM)
To clarify the concept of separate booking for 3E was introduced only when the Duronto Express was introduced. Before that there was no 3E option while booking. Even though Garib Rath trains have side middle berth, but while booking one has to specify 3AC only. Just for example, I have seen 2909 Bandra Garib Rath has both 3AC and 3E coaches. Bur while booking, we have to book under 3AC only. It would depend on luck who is allotted berth in which type of coach. This can be checked in irctc.

@Manish Panda: Mar 04 (06:13PM)
Again, GR 3AC and Duranto 3E, both have SMBs.

@Jhentee Jivraj:
In Garib Rath Trains 3AC is there which is 3E in Duronto Trains. Hence, in GRs, it is not indicated with 3E.
Thanks.

@first blogger:
increase d speed of Ltt garibrath....Itz nt cloakin up to tvm rajdhani...If u want to knw d real speed of garibrath.Plz travel in0 bandra nizamudin garibrath

@Jhentee Jivraj:
No dates finalized. It will take time. Even New Delhi Duranto announced in the last budget has not started, but expecting soon. Regarding Mumbai Duranto it will take months.

@Manthal Krishnan: Feb 27 (04:23PM)
@Jhentee Jivraj :
You are assured that it will definitely start by the end of this financial year.
Hopefully around Diwali time October 2010.
Last year Budger, 120 trains announced and barring 3 trains for the Guage conversion reasons, all 117 trains are either started or the few balance are assured to be started before the end of the year 2009-2010.

@Jhentee Jivraj:
The total fare is Rs 771 in 3AC. For tatkal you have to pay Rs 200 and for ADDITIONAL reservation charges it is Rs 15. Not as stated by you.
Please check details again on indiarail.gov.in under fares for 2201 GR.. good wishes.

@Jhentee Jivraj:
So you pay Rs 771 + 200 + 15 for LTT-KCVL. Good wishes.

@Jhentee Jivraj:
irctc is supposedly the highest trafficked eCommerce site in the world. So that might explain the delay. But if you are racing against time with session timeout, etc. that is pretty stressful, since then you'll have to start all over again. Moreover, there is the complication of credit cards, and browser delays/computer crashes, and whether things went right or not. If there are complications, then getting refund, etc. might also take some time.
You are maybe right that physical booking at computerized reservation counters or with irctc agents might be more "relaxing". Also, although it sounds funny, going to the reservation office, standing in queue, etc. might even be faster!!! And of course you do actually get the official ticket in your hand. That is proof final.

@Jhentee Jivraj:
One suggestion is if you know the Station Codes means enter the Station codes directly in the From and To boxes and select the date, class and type of ticket. Now if u click the Find Trains button it will list the trains details.
Thanks

@Jhentee Jivraj:
Coupes are 2 berth enclosures in 1AC having a sliding door which can be locked from inside. So,only those trains which have 1AC accommodation will have coupes.

@Jhentee Jivraj:
Please select "All Class" while you are searching train list on your appropriate date. It will be show you every train who are running on your desire date with their every class & availability.
Regards
HE2L

@Manish Panda: Feb 23 (01:19PM)
The 4-berth cabins are called compartments which are present in 1AC and First Class coaches.They also have a sliding door which can be locked from inside.I am not too sure if First class coaches have coupes.

@Jhentee Jivraj:
No the quota does not apply to males below 60 yrs but travelling alone.
Additional seats (quota - of lower berths) are available under SS quota code. To obtain ticket under SS code , the passenger has to satify following both the conditions.
a) Passenger is travelling alone. and
b) Age criterias - for females (above 45 yrs), for males (above 60 yrs)

@Jhentee Jivraj:
Please explain your date of journey & source to destination stations. There is no any concession for Senior Citizen in tatkal quota. Male between 45 to 59 yrs can not avail benefit.
Regards
HE2L

@Jhentee Jivraj:
Condition for Senior Citizen quota
1. Female travelling alone (Age above 45 yrs).
2. Senior citizen travelling alone (Age above 60 for Male & Female Both).
If any condition will fulfill then you can avail this quota. But remember in both condition passenger need alone only. if you need book 2 tickets then fill up 2 forms & there is no any guarantee for both passenger can get berth in same coach.
Regards
HE2L

@first blogger:
we will provide a stop at the door step are u happy

@first blogger:
Pl. provide a stop at Mangalore Public School Also

@first blogger:
If you are talking about the extra "verification code by Master/Visa", I am afraid you have to do it yourself and no ICICI or for that matter any other bank will do. Since you have a credit card, (ICICI- I suppose), go to icicibank.com website and look for verification byMaster/Visa (click this link - www.icicibank.com/Personal-Banking/cards/personal-banking-cards.html. You will have to enter details and provide a password generated by you and a identification word so that it comes everytime you entered for verificaton.
Yes, the waiting period was long - and were not helpful in getting you the response is another thing, but the verification password process started in August 2009 itself. This 2nd verification password is only for transactions thro internet and is compulsory in all sites for purchase thru internet/online.
Trust you will do the needful and book your tickets. come back in case you require any other clarification. - Thanks

@anon: Jan 24 (01:34PM)
Further to my blog reg veriication, in case you have any other banks cc, still you have do it separately for the number of master/visa cards you own. go to the website of the credit card bank and dothe needful. it is compulsory for transactions online.

@first blogger:
Bed rolls are easily available on request. No hassles. Co-operative attitude works a lot.

@first blogger:
This train does not have pantry car. but irctc contractors sell tea/coffee, snacks and take orders for lunch, dinner etc and provide the same. 3 tier Ac is a sleeper accommodation and will have sleeper facility.
When is the journey date?You can request co passengers to adjust their seats with lower one. i am sure many people will do.
As it is in RAC at this time, trust by the time your journey starts it may be conirmed to a fully confirmermed seat. best wishes fr a safe journey.

Just mention your choice at the time of booking for lower berths, but if you are booking through irctc then lower berths are not guaranteed
I dont know about pantry in this particular train, any other blogger may answer your query

@first blogger:
Is the stop of Chengannur is being deleted for Train No.2201 from April 2010? It is showing so when checking availability in www.indianrail.gov.in.
Please reply.

@first blogger:
This is a very good train as you can travel in 3A at 45-50% cheaper rate and save 3 to 4 hours though with lesser comfort. Thanks a lot to Indian Railways for starting this train.
V.G. Pillai.

@first blogger:
Dear there is no question of priority if you are in quee of seat/bert/chair. Because, as you every one( passengers/TTE/Guard) wants to grinde their own axe.

@first blogger:
No, Tatkal W/L is NOT given priority on General Waitlist. It remains on TATKAL waitlist only.
@second blogger: Request you to be more specific in your answer please! Iam not criticising you, so don't mind this remark. Good wishes.

@first blogger:
yes

@first blogger:
this particular train may not have a side middle berth or its side middle berth might have been removed. hence its not shown as an option. Most probably you are the first blogger who is choosing SMB. Others simply hate it. atleast there is a supporter of side middle berth. hooray.

@first blogger:
thanks for replying so fast, i was a bit worried coz as i had mentioned i am planning to travel with my kid who's barely seven months old.So already during the day time we will be three of us occupying the lower birth.I just couldnt take the idea of an extra person occupying the seat.Thanks anyways...
Vinod.

@first blogger:
There is no side middle berth for this train. the side berths are only upper and lower.

@anon: Jan 05 08:15PM
Thank you so very much for your prompt reply.
Vinod.

Hello. Sorry for your troubles. Train running status data is sourced from the official site at regular intervals. You can always click on "Get Latest Data" to get the latest running status information. If it said the train was running on time, and in fact it was delayed by 2 hours, then it means that the official times were also not updated accurately.
At the top of the "Running Status" section, it does say in bold letters that sometimes the information is wrong (in red, capital letters). This is the nature of technology and the internet, and sometimes information is wrong, and many times only the engine driver knows the status of the train. Information is not always wrong, but sometimes it is.
Case in point.
1. Even Wikipedia is only 95% correct, and many thousands of people have complained that because of Wikipedia they had lost a lot of marks, and failed in their terminal exams.
2. Even Google News is also only 95% correct. In Sep 2008, there was a story that an airline went bankrupt, which prompted many people to dump their shares, and consequently lose millions. But it later turned out that it was a 3-year old story, and the airline was indeed in good health.
Such is the nature of the internet. Information is not always false. But, sometimes it can be, and one needs to check multiple sources (internet, phone calls, in person, and so forth) to cross-check and confirm for themselves.
Once again, really sorry for your inconvenience. Hope you have better journeys in the future. Regards.

You seem to be agitated. But if u read carefully under the train status button in the relevant section, its clearly stated "always check directly with railway inquiry ". This is not the official indian railways website and this too is mentioned at the top of this webpage !Sorry you had a rough ride but you seemed to have jumped the gun.

@moderator*: Apr 08 10:14PM
can you provide the travelling fair from ernakulam to chengannur

@anon: Dec 05 10:58AM
Eranakulam to Chengannur
General Sleeper AC 3-tier AC 2-tier
Rs. 31 Rs. 140 Rs. 240 Rs. 309

@anon: Nov 30 06:29PM
s pls food is served

@anon: Nov 30 06:29PM
Food is served in this train but you will have to pay for it. It is not included in the fare.

Yes.This train has stop even at
Chengannur.So,this is good.
It has stop also at Kayamkulam.

yar main to kehta hunn isko guddu ke ghar ke piche hi rukwa liya karo..... saala station tak ka auto ka kiraya bhi bach jayega .......

75% confirmation chances are there usually in garib rath as it has a large no of AC 3 seats
but since iots the peak season .... u cant predict anything ......

I see a lot of vacant berths for the same date from stations after mangalore, does that help in deciding so as to geting a WL ticket in hope of getting it confirmed over the period of 40 days?

The new duranto is set be flagged off between kolkata and Mumbai by August month end. It will run non stop and will have technical halts for loco and staff change

Is anyone know the technical stops of this train from mumbai to Kolkatta?

bhusaval,nagpur , bilaspur

Complain to the attendent, and if they dont do anything give them the sprays u r carring to do the job :-)

u better travel by plane to avoid unhygenic conditions with cockroaches,rats etc.

By nature, Garib Rath trains are fully Air Conditioned and have coaches of 3rd AC / A C Chair Car.
Till this nature is not modified, no Garib Rath can have Non AC Sleeper Coaches.
- S K Jain

Garib Raths doen't have pantry cars.

Indian railway has improved its services in a wonderful way.
With such a vast set up it is really great to be proud of our
railways, Govt should introduce more and more garibrath
and abandon all old designs. Charge more make travel
comfortable.

Indian Railways is experimenting with new ways to improve travel and increase revenue. Some measures are not so popular, like introducing the side middle berth, and these are reversed because of popular opinion. Food quality has deteriorated in Rajdhani and other trains. Garib Rath is a success. On the whole, there is some progress.