CR announces special trains to Ahmedabad as hotel rates, airfares skyrocket ahead of World Cup final

As the frenzy over the high octane final of the Cricket world cup between India-Australia rises, the Central Railway has announced special trains from Mumbai to Ahmedabad beginning Saturday, November 18. Central Railways will run a special train from Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus to Gujarat's Ahmedabad on 18th November at 10.30pm, in view of the ICC World Cup final match on 19th November. The train departing from Mumbai will reach Ahmedabad at 6.40 am.

Providing details of the World Cup special trains, the Central Railway said: “Train no 01153 CSMT- Ahmedabad special express will leave CSMT at 22.30 hrs on 18.11.2023 (Saturday) and will arrive Ahmedabad at 06.40 hrs next day (Sunday). “Train no 01154 Ahmedabad – CSMT special express will leave Ahmedabad at 01.45 hrs on 20.11.2023 (midnight of Sunday/Monday) and will arrive CSMT at 10.35 hrs same day (Monday).”

According to the press statement released by the CR, the trains will halt at Dadar, Thane, Vasai Road, Surat and Vadodara before reaching Ahmedabad. The train will have one AC-First Class, three AC-2 Tier and 11 AC-3 Tier coaches.

It’s important to recall ahead of the final in Ahmedabad on November 19, the airfares and hotel rates in the city are likely to skyrocket looking at the high rate of arrivals of cricket fans from other cities.  

Airfares, Hotel rates go through the roof

The Hotel room tariff in Gujarat's Ahmedabad and airfares for flights to the city have skyrocketed in view of the soaring demand from people who want to witness the cricket World Cup final match between India and Australia to be played at the Narendra Modi Stadium on the coming Sunday.

"Due to high demand for Ahmedabad, airfares for flights to the city from almost all places have risen three to five times," said Manubhai Pancholi, a travel agent.

For flights coming from Chennai, the rates in normal times are around Rs 5,000, but they are now Rs 16,000 to Rs 25,000. Hotel Crown on C G Road, which generally charges Rs 3,000 to Rs 4,000 per night, has increased its rate to over Rs 20,000, its staff confirmed. Online rates on various hotel booking sites of five-star hotels have reached around Rs 2 lakh per night. The tariff mentioned by hotels like ITC Narmada and Hyatt Regency online is more than Rs 2 lakh on the night of the match.

PM Modi, Australia Dy PM to attend World Cup final

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Australian Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles will attend the World Cup cricket final between India and Australia to be played here on Sunday, officials said.

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Australian Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles will attend the match on Sunday. Chief Minister Patel reviewed security and other arrangements with top officials," the release said.

The release said police officials informed the CM about the elaborate arrangements in place for the smooth conduct of the match, including deployment of 4,500 personnel to provide security to the ground, teams, VIPs and to take care of traffic management.

CM Patel instructed officials to ensure common people do not suffer due to VIP movement and asked them to provide proper information about closed roads and diversions to people in advance, the release said.

The CM also asked the officials to increase the frequency of metro trains running towards Motera station (near the stadium) for the convenience of fans, who are expected to reach the city from different parts of the country and abroad as well.

(With inputs from agencies)