Indian Railways latest news: India’s fastest metre gauge train has completed 59 years of service. Launched on April 1, 1967, it continues to operate, connecting Maharashtra and Telangana. The train is being maintained and operated by South Central Railway (SCR) zone.

India’s fastest metre gauge train is the Ajanta Express, which runs with train numbers 17063/17064. The train holds significant historical importance. Speaking to IndianExpress.com, a senior railway official said that the Ajanta Express was indeed one of the first metre-gauge trains in the South Central Railway zone.

“Earlier, before gauge conversion, the Ajanta Express used to run on metre gauge, which is why it is referred to as a metre gauge train,” he said. The train operated at an average speed of 42.5 kmph in 1967.

According to Delhi-based National Rail Museum, the Ajanta Express is claimed to be the most prestigious train moving through eastern Maharashtra (Marathwada region) and north-western region of Telangana. It also added that the Ajanta Express was the fastest metre gauge train in India.

The Ajanta Express (17064/17603) is a daily train operating between Kacheguda (KCG) and Manmad Junction (MMR), covering a distance of 626 km in around 14 hours. The train serves several key purposes:

The Ajanta Express departs from Kacheguda at 18:30 hrs and arrives at Manmad Junction at 08:30 hrs, the next day. On its return journey, the train departs from Manmad Junction at 20:40 hrs and arrives at Kacheguda at 09:45 hrs, the next day.

Between its journey between Kacheguda and Manmad Junction, the Ajanta Express stops at seven stations. These are:

Train number 17064/17063 Kacheguda-Manmad-Kacheguda Ajanta Express is running with 22 LHB coaches. The train is composed of one first AC, two second AC, six AC 3 tier, seven sleeper, four general, one SLR, one generator car.