Maharashtra: Central Railway's Siddheshwar Express completes 50 years of service between Solapur and Mumbai

Narayan Sangapurkar on his retirement day, June 30, 1981, with the 323/324 Bombay–Sholapur–Bombay Siddheshwar Express. Pic via Rajendra B Aklekar

The Solapur Division of Central Railway on Wednesday celebrated 50 years of the 12116/12115 Solapur-Mumbai (CSMT) Siddheshwar Superfast Express, one of the most trusted trains connecting Solapur with Mumbai.

Launched on April 8, 1976, the Siddheshwar Express was introduced as a dedicated overnight service between the two cities. Over the decades, it has evolved into a key rail link for thousands of daily commuters, business travellers and pilgrims, strengthening socio-economic ties between Solapur and the state capital.

Named after revered saint Shri Siddharameshwar

Named after 12th-century saint Shri Siddharameshwar, the train reflects the cultural significance of the region. From its early days as a non-AC train with conventional coaches, it has undergone major upgrades in line with Indian Railways' modernisation efforts.

The train now runs on a fully electrified route powered by high-capacity electric locomotives and was upgraded to Superfast status to reduce travel time.

Shift to LHB coaches marks major upgrade

A major transformation came in November 2018, when it was converted to modern LHB coaches, improving safety, speed and passenger comfort.

Currently, the Siddheshwar Express operates with 22 LHB coaches, including AC First Class, AC 2-tier, AC 3-tier, AC 3-tier economy, sleeper and general compartments. Covering a distance of 455 km in around 8 hours and 5 minutes, it connects key stations such as Kurduvadi, Daund, Pune, Kalyan, Thane and Dadar, with a maximum speed of 130 kmph on select stretches.

Lifeline for Solapur and nearby regions

Railway officials said the train remains a "lifeline" for people in Solapur and nearby regions, thanks to its convenient overnight schedule that enables passengers to travel between Solapur and Mumbai for work and other engagements. It also plays a vital role in facilitating pilgrimage travel to destinations such as Pandharpur, Tuljapur, Akkalkot and Ganagapur.

Marking the golden jubilee, the Solapur Division reaffirmed its commitment to improving passenger safety, comfort and punctuality, while thanking generations of travellers for their continued trust in the service.