Only applicable for pax travelling beyond Miraj. As this train is having less number of SL/AC coaches compared to other trains on this route up to Miraj, Getting a confirmed ticket will be early booking task. No need to worry if you have made end moment plan. Book a ticket in 11023 Sahyadri Exp till Miraj, which has good chances because of more reserved coaches and from Mrj you can again catch this Ltt-Ubl exp in next 30 mins, which will have few seats available from there. Go for BPT for single onward ticket. Advantages are
1. You can board at CSTM, DR, KYN(11023), no worry of boarding at LTT, Panvel(17318)
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Sahyadri has good halts at Pune Suburbs like Talegaon, Dehu, Pimpri, Khadki, Shivajinagar, can be boarded at any near by station, with avoiding to go up to Pune Jn
Only disadvantage is to make a changeover at Miraj in early morning around 5 am

This travel tip is based on my recent travel in UR coach of this train from Karjat to Lonavala which also was my first unreserved travel in any M/E trains.
Crowd: If you want to reach Pune in the afternoon and don't have a reserved accommodation, this is the best train. You can travel from Mumbai to Pune and even beyond while sleeping in the UR coaches. My UR coach which was the first coach behind loco and was the most densely populated UR coach with a total of 6 passengers on board.
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As the timetable says, this train doesn't halt at Thane or Kalyan and hence you have to board at LTT or Karjat. Even after considering this, this train remains is a great option for UR travel. It trails the over-crowded Koyna Express up to Miraj and hence you can drop the option of Koyna express by taking this train and travel conveniently.
Coaches: The UR coaches are clean and very well maintained.
Railfanning: It travels through the Bhor Ghat and Shindwane Ghat sections in daylight and hence offers some awesome views. Try boarding the first coach and you would be in for a treat by the 'khatarnak' chugging of Kalyan's Shakti throughout the ghats.