On the D-Day there was taxi strike in Kolkata.We were four adults and 1 child travelling. We boarded ( Ballygunje to Duttapukur Local) from Lake Gardens to BBD Bag at 4.20pm . Ticket Fare Rs 5 per person. The train was literally empty so could keep our luggage comfortably .Reached BBDBag at 5.05pm. Huge crowd boarded from BBDBag as it was office time.
At BBDBag we took the ferry to cross the Ganga to the opposite Howrah Station .Ferry fare was Rs 5 per head. It took 10 mins to reach the other side.
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we reached the other side we faced harassment from ticket checkers who demanded that we should have bought 7 tickets instead of 4. The 3 extra tickets for the luggage.We said no such information was given at the BBDBag Ferry Ghat. The just ignored its not their headache we had to do it. After arguing a lot they made us buy 2 tickets instead of 3. But the best part was the fare from Howrah Station side to BBDBag was Rs 7 whereas from BBDBag to Howrah was Rs.5
Finally we reached the station by 5.50 well in advance at total cost of Rs.54 for 4 passengers and luggage whereas taxi would cost Rs 175 to Rs 200.The train pulled in at 6.30pm and we boarded our compartment. Out of the 4 tickets 2 were Upper Berth,1 middle berth and 1 Side Upper Berth. My mother in law cant get up and I also had problem in climbing so we requested co passenger if we can exchange 1 side lower berth and 1 Lower Berth.The lower berth passenger was a young guy he readily agreed and gave that seat to mother-in-law.But Side Lower person said could not adjust as he himself was handicap.I decided to sit through out the journey.The train left at right time and TTE came within 15-20 mins after departure for checking. Well the coaches were so-so in terms of cleanliness fans not working properly.
Speed of the train good and reached almost all station in time. No pantry but some pvt vendors do come in and take orders for dinner. We had our dinner packed.At Bhubaneswar the Side Lower passenger go down and I got chance to stretch my legs for a couple of hours. As I was awake I woke my rest of family members by 4.30am and made them ready to get down. Most of the passengers were still sleeping in their berth once the train reached Puri Station at right time 4.45am.
We took a auto from Station to Puri Beach .Auto people will say different fares also depending on number of members and so so. We paid Rs.100 and reached our hotel which 1 min walking distance from the Beach.
The 1st day we took a 1 day trip in a private car at various places in Orissa like Dhaulagri,Bhubaneshwar,Nandankanan,Chandrabhaga Beach and Konark Temple.
2nd Day was spent mostly at the beach and went to temple of Lord Jaganath .
Weather was cloudy till afternoon on both days and slight showers in the evening. Even though it was a off season but the crowd at the beach seemed as there is no OffSeason at Puri Beach. Huge footfall specially in the evening.
On 14th August at 9pm we checked out from the hotel and went to Puri Station by Auto. The Station was pretty crowed and most train departed 30 mins late. Train arrived at 10.30pm and we boarded the train. No TTE came to check ticket right from the time we boarded the train and till we got down.The rakes were of pathetic condition .Light were very dim and fans not working.This time we had Upper, Middle Berth,Lower Berth and Side Upper Berth. This time I had no option as the Side Lower was for RAC passengers so I somehow managed to climb the Side Upper.The train departed 30 mins late and arrived 35 mins late at Howrah Station.
We took a prepaid taxi from the Prepaid Stand . Fare was Rs 200 from Howrah Station to Lake Gardens.
Overall we enjoyed this short trip but wished the rakes were better !!!