South Western Railway Sets a New Standard in 2024 with Bold Superfast Upgrades, Efficient Schedule Revisions, and Major Travel Time Cuts for a Seamless Passenger Experience

Published on December 29, 2025

In a major step towards improving travel efficiency, India’s South Western Railway (SWR) is set to redefine the passenger experience in 2024 by implementing a series of impactful changes. With the introduction of superfast upgrades, revised train schedules, and significant reductions in travel times, SWR aims to offer passengers quicker, more convenient journeys across its network. These strategic enhancements are designed to boost operational efficiency, meet the increasing demand for faster travel, and provide a smoother, more reliable service, ensuring that passengers enjoy an elevated experience throughout their journeys.

South Western Railway Implements Significant Changes to Enhance Efficiency in 2024

South Western Railway (SWR) is set to revolutionize its services in the New Year with a series of strategic upgrades aimed at improving speed, efficiency, and overall travel experience for passengers. Starting in early 2024, SWR will implement changes that include converting several express trains to superfast status, altering train schedules, and significantly reducing travel times for over 100 services.

Superfast Train Upgrades

One of the most exciting changes involves the upgrade of eleven express trains to superfast services. This move will boost the overall speed and efficiency of these trains, offering passengers a quicker and more comfortable journey. The following trains will see their speeds and operational efficiency increased:

• 20675 Belagavi–Mysuru Express (February 20)
• 20676 Mysuru–Belagavi Express (February 19)
• 20685 Gandhidham–KSR Bengaluru Express (February 24)
• 20686 KSR Bengaluru–Gandhidham Express (February 21)
• 20690 Shivamogga Town–Yeshwantpur Express (February 20)
• 20693 Jodhpur–KSR Bengaluru Express (February 26)
• 20694 KSR Bengaluru–Jodhpur Express (February 23)
• 12777 Hubballi–Thiruvananthapuram North Express (January 1)
• 12778 Thiruvananthapuram North–Hubballi Express (January 1)
• 12691 Chennai Central–Shivamogga Town Express (January 2)
• 12692 Shivamogga Town–Chennai Central Express (January 3)

This upgrade will not only make travel more efficient but also create smoother connections for passengers between key cities on the SWR network.

Changes to Train Schedules

In response to evolving passenger demands and the need for improved flexibility, SWR is also revising several train schedules. These adjustments are designed to better accommodate the needs of travelers:

• Yeswantpur–Shivamogga Express (16581) will now operate tri-weekly on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays, starting January 1, replacing its previous schedule of Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays.
• Yeshwantpur–Hubballi Express (20655) will switch to a Saturday-only schedule, effective January 3, instead of running on Fridays.

These scheduling changes aim to better serve commuters and enhance the frequency and availability of services during peak travel periods.

Reduction in Travel Time

One of the most anticipated changes is the reduction in travel time across numerous routes, making journeys faster and more efficient for passengers. A total of 103 trains will see their travel times accelerated, with 33 trains benefiting from time reductions of more than 30 minutes. This will significantly enhance the convenience of long-distance travel. Some of the most notable reductions include:

• 20693 Jodhpur–KSR Bengaluru: 185 minutes faster
• 20685 Gandhidham–KSR Bengaluru: 170 minutes faster
• 16209 Ajmer–Mysuru: 140 minutes faster
• 20676 Mysuru–Belagavi: 125 minutes faster
• 19667 Udaipur–Mysuru: 100 minutes faster
• 20686 KSR Bengaluru–Gandhidham: 90 minutes faster
• 20694 KSR Bengaluru–Jodhpur: 90 minutes faster
• 16210 Mysuru–Ajmer: 80 minutes faster
• 17212 Yeshwantpur–Machilipatnam: 96 minutes faster
• 20655 Yeshwantpur–Hubballi: 60 minutes faster

Additional trains such as Rajkot–Coimbatore (16613), Okha–Tuticorin (19568), and Arsikere–KSR Bengaluru (56224) will also benefit from reduced travel times, contributing to improved travel efficiency on the SWR network.

Revised Train Timings

Along with the speed upgrades and schedule changes, several trains will have their arrival times adjusted. This will allow for more convenient connections and smoother operations across the network:

• Starting January 1, the 11301 CSMT Mumbai–KSR Bengaluru Udyan Express will now arrive earlier at Yelahanka at 3:13 am, compared to the previous time of 3:58 am. There will be no change to the arrival time at KSR Bengaluru.
• From January 3, the 11021 Dadar–Tirunelveli Express will reach Chikkabanavara at 7:13 pm (previously 8:21 pm) and SMVT Bengaluru at 9:10 pm (previously 9:45 pm).
• From January 2, the 11005 Dadar–Puducherry Express will reach Chikkabanavara at 7:13 pm, SMVT Bengaluru at 9:10 pm, KR Puram at 9:33 pm, and Whitefield at 9:45 pm, all earlier than the previous timings.

These adjustments are made to ensure that trains run more smoothly, and passengers are able to reach their destinations at more convenient times, without unnecessary delays.

India’s South Western Railway is set to revolutionize travel in 2024 with superfast upgrades, schedule changes, and reduced travel times. These enhancements aim to deliver faster, more efficient, and convenient journeys for passengers across the network.

Purpose of the Changes

These comprehensive changes are part of SWR’s ongoing efforts to modernize and improve its services. By enhancing train speed, adjusting schedules, and reducing travel times, the railway aims to provide a more efficient, convenient, and comfortable travel experience for passengers. The changes are also designed to increase the efficiency of the entire railway network, which can lead to more on-time arrivals and improved operational efficiency. As we head into 2024, these improvements will serve to not only meet the growing demand for faster travel but also strengthen the role of South Western Railway as a key player in India’s railway infrastructure.

In conclusion, SWR’s plan for the New Year reflects a significant step towards achieving a more connected, efficient, and passenger-friendly rail network. Passengers can look forward to faster services, more convenient schedules, and a smoother overall travel experience in 2024.