Punjab Mail Enters 114th Year of Service Connecting Maharashtra to Punjab

Mumbai, 31st May 2025: Indian Railways’ iconic Punjab Mail, which connects Maharashtra to Punjab, will step into its 114th year of continuous service on June 1, 2025, marking 113 years of historic operations. As one of the oldest running trains in the country, the train remains a vital link between western and northern India.

Historical Journey Since 1912

First Run: The Punjab Mail began service on June 1, 1912, from Ballard Pier Mole Station, Mumbai, under the Great Indian Peninsula Railway (GIPR).

Initial Route: Originally operated between Bombay and Peshawar, covering 2,496 km in 47 hours, with major stops including Itarsi, Agra, Delhi, Lahore, and Peshawar Cantonment.

Route and Schedule Evolution

1914: Origin shifted to Bombay VT (now CSMT Mumbai), becoming a daily service to Delhi over 1,541 km in 29 hours 30 minutes.

1920s: Reduced journey time to 27 hours 10 minutes.

1972: Journey time extended back to 29 hours with additional halts.

Current Route: Operates between Mumbai CSMT and Firozpur Cantonment, covering 1,928 km in 33 hours 35 minutes with 52 scheduled stops.

Evolution of Coaches and Traction

Original Setup: Six coaches—three for passengers and three for mail—accommodating 288 passengers.

Key Upgrades:

1930s: Introduction of IIIrd class coaches.

1945: Addition of air-conditioned coaches.

1968–1976: Gradual dieselization up to Firozpur.

Late 1970s: Switch to dual-current electric locomotives.

2020 Onward: Adoption of LHB coaches on December 1, 2020, and shift to full electric traction. A pantry car replaced the original restaurant car.

Current Train Composition

The Punjab Mail, connecting Maharashtra to Punjab, runs at more than 250% occupancy and comprises:

1 AC First Class cum AC 2-Tier

2 AC 2-Tier

6 AC 3-Tier

6 Sleeper Class

4 General Second Class

1 Generator Van

1 SLR (Second Luggage and Guard Van)

The train remains a flagship long-distance service for Central Railway, symbolizing over a century of legacy and connectivity between Mumbai and Firozpur.