Mumbai: New Bandra to Goa train launched
A new direct train service has been inaugurated, connecting Bandra and Borivli to Konkan and Goa for the convenience of residents in the western suburbs. However, the train’s journey begins with multiple hours of circling the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) due to a lack of a clear path, similar to how flights circle airports waiting for landing space.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw virtually inaugurated the new bi-weekly 10115 Bandra Terminus Madgaon Express train in the presence of Union Minister of Commerce & Industry Piyush Goyal, local MLA Sunil Rane, BJP leader Ashish Shelar, and several other BJP politicians at Borivli station on Thursday.
The train will run every two weeks on Wednesdays and Fridays, departing from Bandra Terminus at 6.50 am and arriving in Madgaon, Goa at 10 pm. On the return trip, it will depart from Madgaon at 7.40 am and arrive at Bandra Terminus at 11.40 am.
Upon comparing the travel time of this train with others departing from Mumbai to Konkan and Goa, it is evident that it is considerably slower. It takes over three hours to reach Panvel from MMR, earning it the nickname “tortoise train.”
In contrast, trains from CR (Central Railway) departing from Mumbai CSMT, Dadar, and LTT can reach Panvel in just over an hour. The new 10115 Bandra Terminus-Borivli-Goa train departs from Bandra Terminus at 6.50 am, reaching Borivli at 7.23 am, Vasai at 7.50 am (with a reversal stop), Bhiwandi at 8.50 am, and finally Panvel at 9.55 am. This convoluted route adds up to a total travel time of slightly over three hours.
“In contrast, passengers can quickly reach Dadar to catch any of the CR Konkan-bound trains that will depart from Panvel station MMR within an hour. For instance, the 10111 Konkan Kanya Express departs from Mumbai CSMT at 11:00 pm, arrives at Dadar at 11:15 pm, Thane at 11:41 pm, and reaches Panvel in just slightly over an hour at 12:20 am. With a total travel time of only one hour and 20 minutes, passengers can promptly exit the MMR region.”
