DNKL/Dhenkanal (2 PFs)

ढ़ेंकानाल

ଢେଂକାନାଳ

Track: Construction - Electric-Line Quadrupling

BOOKING PREFERENCE FOR PASSENGERS FROM COASTAL ODISHA TO CHHATTISGARH(Only included trains via SBP)
1. 12994 Puri-Gandhidham Weekly SF Exp: This train must be the first priority while booking from Odisha to any state it serves, be it Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra or Gujarat. Cleanliness is excellent, Due to less number of halts and being a weekly train, rush of unreserved passengers in SL is very much low. Though there's no pantry car present, one can opt for IRCTC e-catering at BBS, there are a lot of options available. However, for those who board from the stations beyond BBS should bring their own food from home or better have their dinner and board the train, as it arrives at DNKL/ANGL/TLHD at relatively late hours, beyond...
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dinner time. The only disadvantage about this train is that, it is a weekly train and departs from PURI on Monday so weekend travellers can't take it. Ticket availability is not that great.
2. 22827 Puri-Surat SF Weekly Express: This is train shares the slot of Puri-Gandhidham SF. It has more no. of coaches than 12994 and thus tickets are easily available. As compared to 12994, this train's maintenance is a little bit lower. However, the difference is not that much. During my last trip on this train, the only thing that I didn't like was that the windows in the AC 2-tier were dirty and throughout the journey, they remained unattended. Regarding food, the advice is same as that of 12994.
3. 20813 Puri-Jodhpur SF Weekly Express: This train takes the route via Bilaspur and is the only overnight train to Chhattisgarh on that route. Tickets are easily available and maintenance is great too. However, it runs only on wednesdays. Pantry car is available in this train and the food offered by it is decent. Dinner is served within SBP. They start taking orders after departing DNKL mostly. E-catering can also be opted. For those going on official purposes, this one has the best timings of all as its arrival at Raipur is the earliest of all.
4.22866/12880:Puri-LTT weekly/BBS-LTT bi-weekly: Almost everything is the same about these 2 trains including their slots, so I ranked them jointly. Maintenance is good, tickets are easily available, great for railfanning. However, these are day time trains and that too not on weekends and hence not very useful for those going on official purpose and those preferring overnight travel to CG. Lunch will be served within SBP.
5. 18425 Puri-Durg(Intercity) Express: This is the dedicated train to Chhattisgarh. Maintenance and cleanliness is great. However, it has a large number of halts, after Sambalpur, it halts at almost all the stations. Unreserved passengers do board the SL class. Their presence is significant in S1,S2 and S4, most of them are MST holders. Some unreserved pax may bribe the TTE to board the 3A. However, they are only given the seats, that are vacant and almost no disturbance is caused. Almost all the unreserved pax get down within Sambalpur. Pantry is not available, however IRCTC e-catering can be opted and also one can carry his/her own food. Time table is also quite convenient and being daily is also an advantage.
6. 18405 Puri-Ahmedabad Weekly Express: This is the only LHB train to Chhattisgarh/Maharashtra/Gujarat from Odisha. This train is quite well known by the people of Odisha and thus, tickets are not that easily available within a short time. However, in some UR coaches, flushes of the toilets were not working during my last trip on this one. Another issue about it is that its a weekly and goes on Wednesdays. Pantry car is available on this train and the food offered is fine.
7. 12146 Puri-LTT Weekly SF Express: This train has great maintenance. The only reason for its relatively lower ranking is because of it's late departure from Odisha. So its a no go for those going for official purpose as it arrives at Raipur at noon. Ticket availability is good.
8. 18407/18422 Puri-Sai Nagar Shirdi/Puri-Ajmer Express: They are ranked low in the list because of their very late departure from Odisha. Tickets are easily available in these trains, however these two also arrive at Raipur at noon time.
As I have not travelled by the trains taking the Vizianagaram-Raygada route, I have not included them. Again the trains not going to Raipur are not included as well, these include 14710 Puri-BKN Express, 22910 Puri-BL SF Express and 18507 Hirakud Express, these trains run on basically use the same slot as that of 12880/22866 till Bilaspur. Those going to Bilaspur can consider these trains. However, tickets are not that easily available on 22910.

This train is an overnight intercity express of ECoR. It has a huge demand both by intermediate and end to end passengers. This train is most preferred by people, especially from the western part of Odisha, who take this train for both Raipur and Bhubaneswar. In a nutshell, it is one of the best short distance express trains of ECoR and the people of Odisha are grateful for the introduction of this train.
I personally prefer this train to go home, to Dhenkanal(DNKL) from Bhubaneswar(BBS) in case if I miss the 58422 Angul Passenger.
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1)Ticket Availability: This train is very very popular on its entire route, but still then tickets remain available, even during holiday seasons, in all the classes. For people travelling to Chhattisgarh from Odisha, this train is always the first choice.(However, I would personally prefer, 12994 and 22827).
2)Punctuality: This is a short distance train, hence huge delays like 3-4hrs is very rare, however, it travels only until BBS on time, it usually reaches CTC with a 5 min delay, and reaches DNKL, usually with a delay of20-30 mins. It runs slow b/w CTC and DNKL. The only reason is that, the consequent passenger halts en-route, fail to give it green signal in timeso that it can maintain its speed. As the stations are almost on astreaight line, the driver can view the signal of the upcoming station, from around 2 kms in this part of the route, hence he/she slows the train down. Sometimes it takes unnecessary stops within CTC and DNKL which is very disappointing. After departing from DNKL, upto TLHD, there exists a double track after that, its single track, all the way to Raipur, hence the delay accumulated within DNKL is not usually recovered. It usually reaches Raipur with an average delay of an hour.
3)Speed: As I pointed out earlier, it runs slow, however, if it gets continuous green signals, then, it is very very aggressive on the track. It does mps i.e 110 kmph within MCS and CTC and within and intermediate station, Rajathagarh(RJGR) and DNKL and also within RAIR and SBP.
Tourism: Harishankar is a very beautiful tourist destination in western Odisha. People usually have to deboard at Bolangir(BLGR) to get a bus to this place, however one can take this train to Harishanker Road, and geT there easily and it reaches there in the early morning. If you're travelling from Coastal Odisha then this train is even more beneficial as you can take this train in the evening back home as Harishankar is a spot, which can be fully enjoyed within a day.
4)Tips for Short Distance passengers: Those who take this train for short distance travels, can easily get a seat in the GEN compartments. However if you're an MST holder, then you can easily travel in the SL class and the TTE will not argue. many MST holders board this train from BBS to DNKL/ANGL. They primarily take the S1,S2 and S4 boggies, hence an MST holder can easily travel in these boggies.
I don't want to promote anything illegal, but If the you see that the GEN boggies are jam-packed(during holidays. especially in August and October), then ask the TTE for help (If you're not an MST holder), he'll definitely give you a seat, either in 3A or in SL. They usually charge Rs.50 from BBS and DNKL in SL and Rs.100 for the same in 3A. The price is double, between BBS and ANGL.
ECO FRIENDLY: This is actually and absurd but true fact on the part of this train. Between PURI and TLHR, this train runs with a VSKP WAM-4, which reduces air pollution and usage of diesel. IT is an exemplary thing, which MUST be followed b all railway zones. Usually, other trains on this route, take a diesel loco from PURI/BBS itself, and run with it on a fully electrified double track till ANGL, I call this train, the Eco-Friendly express.

5)CONCLUSION: Please carry food with you for overnight journeys as this train doesn't have a pantry. You can have food by IRCTC e-catering, from BBS, otherwise carry food from home.
Again if you're travelling from Chhattisgarh to Odisha the this should be your first preference.
However, from Odisha to Chhattisgarh, the first priority must be 12994 PURI-GIMB SF, with the second choice being 22827, PURI-ST SF, however, those are weekly trains and hence on days other than Mondays and Sundays, you can always take this train.(On Wednesdays, prefer 18473 PURI-JU over this train).

Tip for people boarding in GEN classes: Those who want to board this train at BBS in GEN class, be prepared for a battle(This is the term I prefer to use)
The 18105 ROU-BBS Intercity arrives at BBS on platform no.3 with a delay of around 5-10 mins(usually within 13:05-13:10), Then there is a battle and wrestling between people trying to boarding and getting down the train. If you are not a seasoned daily passenger of this train, please arrive atleast 30 mins before the arrival of ROU-BBS intercity(18105) and go to the last positions(i.e the SLR and the 2nd last UR compartment is the best choice)A huge crowd tries to board the UR compartments, if you can run with the window...
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of the arriving train(before it stops) then throw your handkerchief or any cloth on a seat and the seat will remain reserved for you. Remember please arrive BEFORE THE ARRIVAL OF 18105 ROU-BBS INTERCITY.
If you arrive after the arrival of the above mentioned train then there's almost no chance of getting a seat in GEN class you have to stand at least till DNKL or ANGL, during weekends you may have to wait for a seat till SBPY.
Tip for tourists: If you are arriving in Odisha from outside and considering this train as a connecting one for a short distance journey in GEN class, please book in 2S,where you can have a seat for you and can settle your luggage but with your luggage, you don't stand a chance in UR coaches, so please book a seat. This is also advisable for those travelling for the first time in this train.

Speed: This train is an aggressive one with great speed.

Punctuality: This train gets delayed by an hour on an average by the time it reaches ROU, in some cases the delay may be more.

Cleanliness: This train is not cleaned at BBS, only at ROU as BBS it stays only for 40-45 mins, hence the 2S and UR coaches may not remain clean, however the CC coaches are clean, and comfortable.

Railfanning: Thanks to curvy and scenic path between ANGL and SBP, one can have a good railfanning experience.

Food and catering: One can opt for e-catering at Bhubaneswar railway station, from Dominos and other choices, again one can also buy food from local vendors within the station premises. Another option is the Green Chilyiz fast food stall, situated at the master canteen square, there one can have a variety of food items to choose from and get it parceled, however for that the passenger must arrive at least one hour before the arrival of 18105 if opting for GEN travel, if reservation is there then arrive at least an hour before departure, considering the time to get your food packed.

In short: Opt for the general class at BBS only if you're a regular passenger, else if your journey is greater than 100 kms booking in CC is advisable, otherwise book in 2S.
This tip is also applicable for those boarding the train at DNKL too, as the train will remain packed till ANGL or SBPY.
After SBPY, the train will become empty.