Can't forget that day. I was going to RNC for appearing in JSSC (Junior Engineer) Exam. I planned my trip as I can attend my office full day and then board the train. I planned the complete journey in three lag 12061 HBJ to JBP, 11447 JBP to BRKA and then 18612 from BRKA to RNC. On journey date I found that 12061 is rescheduled by 1 hour and 10 min. I did not even checked for rescheduling as Janshatabdi had a good record for punctuality and to make a chain with 11447. I had no option left then. I completed my first leg of journey. JS arrived JBP at 12:40. Till the time 11447 had already left. I cancelled my tickets and searched for some other options. As I had been for sometime at DHN so it was clear to me that RNC is fairly connected with TATA. now plan...
more... for BRKA dumped and a new journey started.I made journey plan as JBP to KTE, KTE/KMZ to BSP, BSP to TATA and finally TATA to RNC. Bought a UR ticket upto RNC via BSP TATA. To my luck I heard an announcement " May I have your attention please train no 16229 Mysuru Varanasi Express from Mysuru to Varanasi is arriving shortly on Platform no 3". I checked for the schedule whether this train has a stop at KTE or not. Yes it was. I boarded in UR just after loco. ET WDM3A was in-charge. The coach was almost empty such that people were sleeping in seats. I thought it is better to not to disturb anyone as I had to go just 91 KMs. I stood beside the gate and enjoyed the flat 1Hr journey. Meanwhile I had checked for the next option. BINGO! it was 18478 means no need to waste time at BSP. I somehow managed to reach KMZ from KTE. 10 mins after I reach KMZ. TKD WAP7 brought the 24 coacher Kalinga Utkal Express. Since I was sure that train is running full and I cant get a seat at last moment. I was running out of cash as I had a preplanned journey with confirmed reservations. So finally I ran towards end of the PF to get inside of a UR coach. What the hell? Just one UR that too jam-packed. I managed somehow to travel on gate.after 5 min had a strong argument with fellow passengers to adjust and let everyone in and close the gate. Some gentlemen agreed and they also come in favour that gate should be closed.finally everyone got in and gate closed.I completed the journey till bsp standing on one leg and bag on shoulder. Thanks to IR for heavy slack before BSP. It arrived 20 minuets before at BSP. I deboarded and ran outside the Station to withdraw enough money to pay fine.( Seriously I wasn't able to travel in that coach anymore). It took 5 minuets to comeback found a TTE paid fine got a space to sleep as I had not slept last night and next day I had to face an exam. At ROU I missed YPR HTE express as I was unware that it could also become my option to reach RNC early. finally deboarded at TATA,charged my phone, booked a hotel at RNC. took a bus to reach RNC road. Finally I was at RNC before I would come with my chosen options.