Firozpur–Rameswaram Humsafar Express

The 20973/20974 Firozpur – Rameswaram Humsafar Express is an express train of the Indian Railways connecting Firozpur Cantonment with Rameswaram. It is currently being operated with 20973/20974 train numbers on a weekly basis. After its extension from Ajmer to Firozpur, It became as the Longest Running Humsafar category train by just surpassing SMVT Bangalore Agartala Humsafar express. And also became as 5th longest train service by Indian Railways.

Background
The inaugural service, bearing train number No.09603 of this service was launched on 27 September 2018 at (Laxmibai Nagar Junction) by Speaker of the Lok Sabha, Sumitra Mahajan. The regular services are scheduled to commencing from 2 October 2018 at Rameswaram on every Tuesdays and 6 October 2018 at Ajmer Junction on every Saturdays bearing train numbers 20974 and 20973 respectively. It was then extended to Firozpur Cantonment from 2 October 2023.

Rakes
The service is completely fitted with 3-tier AC coaches designed by Indian Railways with features like LED screen display to show information about stations, train speed and will have announcement system as well, Vending machines for tea, coffee and milk, Bio toilets in compartments as well as CCTV cameras. Apart from 16 AC 3-tier coaches earmarked for passengers, the train will also have 1 Pantry Car and 2 End-on Generator coaches.

Route
This weekly service originates every Saturday traverses about 3431 km through Bathinda Junction, Hanumangarh Junction, Sadulpur Junction, Churu Junction, Sikar Junction, Ringas Junction, Jaipur Junction, Ajmer Junction, Chittaurgarh Junction, Ratlam Junction, Fatehabad Chandrawatiganj Junction, Laxmibai Nagar Junction (Indore Suburban), Dewas Junction, Bhopal Junction, Itarsi Junction, Nagpur Junction, Balharshah Junction, Vijayawada Junction, Gudur Junction, Chennai Egmore, Viluppuram Junction,Tiruchirappalli Junction and Manamadurai Junction reaching on Tuesdays. On the return journey, it leaves the same Tuesday traverses the same route and reaches Firozpur Cantonment on Fridays. It takes 62 hours approximately to completely the service at a rate of 57 km/h.

Developments
There are also demands for this train to make a stop at Ramanathapuram, Paramakudi, Sivagangai Karaikudi Junction and Vriddhachalam Junction. as this train runs with low patronage between Chennai Egmore and Rameswaram.