Sitting on a train for hours while travelling to our grandparents’ home is a childhood memory many of us share. With the nostalgia of long train rides, we rarely stop to think about just how far India’s railway network can take us. One of the country’s longest train journeys takes passengers across nearly 4,000 km, with the journey lasting more than three days. Read on to know more.
The Vivek Express Is The Longest Train Journey
The Vivek Express runs from Dibrugarh in Assam to Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu, taking around 74 hours to complete the journey. Travellers pass through different states, landscapes and cultures, making it an experience unlike most other train trips in India. A recent video captures what it is like to travel on the Vivek Express. Content creator Mamta Yadav and her team travelled on both the Dibrugarh-Kanyakumari route and the return journey to experience the trip in full.
Passing through multiple states, the train offers passengers a chance to witness India’s changing landscapes from their windows. The route takes them past tea gardens, busy cities and stretches of countryside, while the diversity of languages, food and cultures adds to the experience. However, the journey also comes with its share of challenges. In her video, Yadav highlighted overcrowding in the general compartment, where moving through the coaches could be difficult. The unhygienic condition of the toilets was another concern.
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With seats in the general compartment occupied on a first-come, first-served basis, the team spent the first two days travelling in general class before moving to an AC coach for the remainder of the journey. Despite these difficulties, some passengers felt that travelling in the general compartment allowed them to experience the journey more closely.
When Was Vivek Express Started?
The Vivek Express was announced in the 2011-12 Railway Budget to commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda. The service was introduced to improve connectivity across the country. The train travels through several states, including Assam, West Bengal, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and Tamil Nadu, connecting different regions over its long route.
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Along the way, it makes stops at numerous stations, including Guwahati, Kolkata, Bhubaneswar and Thiruvananthapuram, giving passengers an opportunity to experience the diversity of India’s railway network during one continuous journey.
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FAQs
Is Vivek Express good or bad?
The Vivek Express (specifically the Dibrugarh – Kanyakumari route) is famous as the longest train route in India, covering roughly 4,189 kilometers over more than 70 to 76 hours. Whether it is "good" or "bad" depends heavily on whether you view it as a travel adventure or a practical mode of transport.
What is the ticket price of Vivek Express?
Ticket prices for the Vivek Express (such as the main Dibrugarh to Kanyakumari route, Train No. 22504) vary depending on the class of travel and your boarding/destination stations.
What is the route of Vivek Express?
The primary Dibrugarh–Kanniyakumari Vivek Express runs from Dibrugarh in Assam to Kanniyakumari in Tamil Nadu, forming the longest train route in India.
