Please do not stay at Veekay Tourist Home (close to exit of pf 1 Yesvantpur Jn). Its the worst hotel experience we had. When I booked the hotel by checking their site, I found it fine and it is closer to Yesvantpur Jn. When we checked into the room we noticed that there was no intercom to call reception, TV did not had remote and the TV itself was not working.
All night I was bitten by bedbugs and I could hardly sleep. I had rashes on my arms, back, forehead. Next day found that there was no hot water in our room. Checked with reception and they said that we can take bath in another room. That another room was having...
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smell of cigaretts, liquor. We complained all this to reception but they did not even bother to apologize or give us some sort of discounts. We checked with few others in the hotel and found similar situation. We checked out immediately the next day.
The driver of car that we hired told us that there are some good hotels near to pf 6 of Yesvanpur Jn.

Bilimora is a Modern Indian Station with very good amenities and great maintenance. The heritage railway line begining from this station just amplifies the amazing experience.

I had been to Bilimora Jn in Feb 2024 and listing down some tips based on my experience:

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Platforms: Bilimora is a junction which serves both broad and narrow gauge trains. The broad gauge trains use Platforms 1, 2 and 3 while the narrow gauge trains use Platfrom 4 on the east side. Platform no 1 is the main platform that has all the important amenities and is directly connected to the road. There are two bridges with a third one under construction. If you want to go to the narrow gauge platform (PF4), you have to take the first bridge towards Surat and while getting down, you have to climb down a long ramp that takes you to the road and then walk back in Virar direction to get to PF 4. There are no escalators on bridges at Bilimora Jn currently.

2. Amenities:
A. Waiting Rooms: Sleeper Class waiting room and a separate ladies only waiting room are available on PF 1 near the main exit. The Sleeper class waiting room was very maintained with the toilets and bathroom in satisfactory condition.

B. Toilets: Toilets are available at two points: one on platform no 1 towards Surat end and the other on Platform no 4. Both these toilets were clean. You may also use the toilets at waiting rooms if you have a valid ticket.

C. Luggage and Parcel Office: Luggage and Parcel office is available on PF1 next to the waiting rooms.

D. Parking: Car and Bike Parking spaces are available at the Platform no 1 side which seemed to be free as there was no board regarding the fare. A private parking lot named Somnath Parking with CCTV surveillance is available on Platform no 4 side.

E. Ticket Counters: A reservation office along with UTS counter is available on PF 1 side while another UTS counter (only unreserved tickets) is available on PF 4 side.

F. Benches: Ample benches are provided on all the BG platforms

3. Transportation: The Bilimora bus stand is located 100 mts away from the railway station on the Pf 4 side. The timetable as of Feb 2024 has been attached below. Autorickshaws to nearby places were available from PF 1 as well as PF 4 side.

4. Food: The famous Nandi restaurant is located next to the railway station and is famous for pattice. You may also try the famous Khaman and Fafda from Jay Jalaram Khaman House which is located 400 mts from the station on Pf 1 side. I had tried both and it was worth the hype. There is a market near the railway station on the Platform 1 side. A multipurpose stall is available on Platform no 1 but was closed in the evening.

5. Lodging: There is no retiring room facility at Bilimora and the waiting rooms and the benches are the only means to rest.

6. Cleanliness: It is a very clean station just like many other stations of Gujarat. The cleanliness activity goes through the entire day and you wouldn't have any complaints. I was very impressed with the cleanliness of this station

7. Safety: The RPF inspectors are regularly on rounds at this station which also has an RPF thana on pf1. It is a very safe station.

8. Sightseeing: The Bilimora Waghai Narrow Gauge Heritage route is the main attraction which is 60 kms of pure narrow gauge experience through tiny scenic villages. Saputara is a famous hill station about 110 kms away and frequent buses are available from the bus stand.

9. Railfanning: This is a great station for railfanning with some amazing high speed actions. You would also witness multiple trains getting overtaken at Bilimora Jn. The narrow gauge route begining from this station adds to the wonderful experience.

Have a safe journey.

Vivek

Udupi is an important tourist spot in the Coastal Karnataka Circuit and the Udupi Railway Station is a nice little railway station on the Konkan Railway section. Listing down some tips based on my experience:

1. The Station Premises:
This station is located at an elevated level and hence you must walk up to reach the station. One elevator and a ramp...
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is available for the convenience.

2. Waiting Rooms:
Both Ladies only waiting room as well as general waiting room is available on Platform no 1 near the 10th coach position from MAO end.

3. Lodging:
A. Namah Dormitory: Namah Dormitory is available on the first floor. Contact Details provided in the attached image.
B. Private Lodging: Shri Jayadurga Boarding and Lodging is a hotel that is located at one hundred mts from the station. Cannot comment on the service as I have not availed it yet. Contact Details provided in the attached image.
C. Airbnb: Some great AIR BNB Apartments are available at the centre of the city.

4. Platforms:
Udupi has two platforms with the Platform no 1 being the primary platform where most of the amenities are located.

5. Cloak Room and Luggage Parcel Office:
A Cloak Room is available to keep your luggage safely on PF 1 near the 8th Coach Position from Madgaon end. Make sure your luggage is locked properly with lock (taala), otherwise they will not accept it. The Parcel Office is adjacent to the Cloak Room.

6. Food:
I have noted that exceptionally good South Indian snacks are available on Platform no 1 but did not get a chance to try it out and hence cannot comment.

7. Important Attractions to cover:
Udupi is a very serene place and highly under-rated. There is extremely high potential in Udupi to be better than Goa. Listing down some must visit places of attractions of Udupi:

A. Bengre Delta Point:
This is the confluence of two rivers with the Arabian Sea: Sita and Swarna
B. The Amazing Bridges:
Three bridges in the Moodukudru Area (all called Moodukudru Bridge) provides magnificent views of the backwaters. Kemmannu Hanging Bridge is a wonderful man-made creation but temporarily closed in Jan 2024. Kemthur Hanging Bridge is a wonderful, offbeat location which is very less frequented but a hidden gem.
C. Malpe Beach:
A very crowded beach like the Juhu Beach in Mumbai but it is a very well maintained and clean beach. You can visit the St Mary's Island from the boats available at this beach which charge four hundred Rs Per Person for a 1.5-hour circuit. Ferry to St Mary's Island is also available near the Malpe Sea Walk that charge three hundred Rs Per Person
D. Malpe Sea Walk:
A nice promenade created going inside the sea.
E. Shri Krishna Math:
A prominent temple of Shri Krishna right in the centre of the city. Prasadam Timings: 11.30 am to 3 pm and 7.30 pm to 10.30 pm.
F. The Must Visit Food Joints:
MTR Restaurant, Mitra Samaj, Diona Hotel for Gadbad Ice Cream and Thimmappa Fish Restaurant for Sea Food

Have a safe trip.
Vivek

I have been to Thivim Railway Station twice in Dec 2023. Listing down the detailed tips (exhaustive) based on my experience:

1. Getting Around:

If you wish to go to Candolim, Calangute, Baga,...
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Anjuna, Morjim or Arambol areas of Goa, this would be the convenient station.

A. Prepaid Taxis (Yellow Black): A 24 hr prepaid taxi counter is available at the station near the PF1 exit. The rate card as of Dec 2023 is attached below. Thivim to Baga and Calangute costs 850 for non ac and 1050 for ac (if AC cab is available) for 4 passengers. The availability of prepaid taxis is aplenty and there shouldn't be an issue of shortage. Reach the booking counter as soon as possible to avoid long queues as a lot of passengers deboard at Thivim.

B. GoaMiles Cabs: GoaMiles is the only app based taxi aggregator by Goa Tourism (Govt Body) with the absence of Ola and Uber in Goa. GoaMiles used to be a great option previously but in 2023, I could not trust it as I had tried to book a cab from Thivim for about 30 mins and it wasn't available and eventually had to take the prepaid taxis. The difference in fare between Goamiles and Prepaid Taxi was about 400 for a trip to Baga with Goamiles quoting lesser. Goamiles cabs aren't aplenty at Thivim and Karmali Stations but you would find them easily at Madgaon Jn and other beach side areas. Keep the app handy as it may help during your travel. You have to add money in GoaMiles wallet before booking a ride. Even if you don't use it, full refund is provided without any charges. Goamiles app also has Bus timetables feature with live bus tracking for some of the buses and it might come in handy.

C. Bike Pilots: One Bike Pilot was available at the station during our visit.
If you do not have any luggage and are travelling solo, bike pilots are an economical option.

D. Bus Stand: The closest Bus stop is about 300m from the station and it takes 5 mins by walk. If you wish to go to Baga, Calangute and anywhere on the north side, you would have to take a bus to Mapusa Bus Stand and then change over for a bus to the corresponding destinations. If going anywhere down south, Panjim bus stand should be your layover point. Direct buses are available but not many. You may use GoaMiles app for checking the bus timetable.

E. Taxis from Hotels: Even if you book a Taxi from your Hotel near Baga or Calangute, they shouldn't charge more than 1000 for a Swift Dzire (AC) as of Dec 2023. They would quote more but bargain to this price. The 1000 Rs charge includes 30% additional fare of coming empty one way.

2. Platforms: There are 2 operational platforms at Thivim Railway Station with Platform no 1 being the primary one. Even if your train arrives on PF 2, you would have to take the bridge and come to PF 1 for the exit as no exit is available from PF 2 side. It would be convenient if your train arrives at PF 1 at Thivim. Vande Bharat, Janshatabdi and other trains with a scheduled halt at Thivim would arrive on PF1 unless there is a crossing. No escalator or lift is currently available at Thivim.

3. Amenities:
Thivim Railway Station is currently undergoing renovation and more facilities might be available in the future. The current amenities as of Dec 2023 are as follows:

A. Seating on the Platform: Benches are available at the railway station for seating but there are nowhere close to adequate and you would see passengers being seated on the ground during Vande Bharat and Janshatabdi arrival time. More benches and seating space is required at this important railway station. If you have to wait for your train even for an hour, I would recommend booking the retiring room as the platform gets completely crowded and there is no place to seat comfortably.

B. Retiring Room: I had stayed at the retiring room at Thivim for 3 hours and the experience was amazing. The rooms are spacious with modern interiors and clean. Queen Sized Bed with hard mattress, working AC, TV with a satellite cable connection, clean bathroom with western style toilets and 24X7 hot water is available. All the rooms are couple ac rooms and there is no dormitory available. The rates are quite reasonable and the rate card is attached below. I have stayed at the retiring rooms at Madgaon Junction and Thivim and both were amazing. The retiring room is located on PF 1 near the 10th coach coach from CSMT end. Highly recommended and hope they maintain the quality.

C. Waiting Rooms: Separate General and Ladies only waiting rooms with toilets are available. Waiting rooms get crowded during the arrival of the trains. The Waiting rooms are located on PF 1 near the 11th coach coach from CSMT end.

D. Free Water: Purified free cold water dispenser is available on PF 1 near the ladies waiting room. Complaint to the station master if it doesn't work and if they do not fix it, mention that you would complaint on RailMadad.

E. Food at the Station: I would recommend ordering from Food Aggregators like Zomato or Swiggy who deliver right at the station rather than having food at the station. We had ordered Parathas from Thali House restaurant which was delivered in 25 mins and were piping hot with amazing taste. I would surely recommend this outlet from where we packed food for our train too. Pizza Hut delivers at the station via Zomato. There is an outlet on PF1 named Insta Biryani and Curry near the 14th Coach from CSMT end whose menu has been attached below (I haven't tried this and hence can't comment). There is a multipurpose stall on PF 1 near the 12 coach.

F. Relaxing Massage Chairs (Paid): Relaxing chairs which is a new trend at Goan stations are available on paid basis on PF1 but again get crowded before the arrival of trains. Atleast 5 people were waiting for their chance during our visit.

F. Apparels/Accessories Outlet: There is an outlet called MyPurpose store which sells Tshirts and other accessories on PF 1. Although the items would be costly than the ones sold near beaches, you may try if required.

G. Cleanliness: The station is well maintained and clean.

4. Coach Positions: The coach positions are displayed with a painted board like it is at all the Konkan stations without digital indicators. There is a board near the station master's cabin where they write down the coach positions before the arrival of each train. Please note that the first coach of MAO CSMT Vande Bharat Express halts near the 9th coach position on the platform.

5. Railfanning: It is a nice station for railfanning with the premium trains like Vande Bharat, Tejas and Janshatabdi Express having schedule halts. Being a single line section, the experience gets better with added crossings and overtakes.

Have a safe trip.

Vivek