Mangala Lakshadweep Express

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The 12617 / 12618 Mangala Lakshadweep Superfast Express is a Daily Superfast Express train in India that runs between Hazrat Nizamuddin in Delhi and Ernakulam Junction in Kochi, Kerala via the Konkan Railway route. It is operated by Southern Railway with 12617 / 12618 train numbers. In 1973, the earlier version of this train (Jayanti Janata Express (131/32)) was the first direct train to Kerala and Coastal Karnataka from the national capital. In its renewed form as Mangala Lakshadweep Express, it became the 1st daily train connecting North,Central Kerala and New Delhi after Kerala Express (1977). It is also regarded as the 1st daily direct access train to the national capital for the Malabar (North Kerala) districts, Coastal Karnataka districts and Lakshadweep.

Contents

Mangala Lakshadweep Superfast Express
Nameboard of Mangla Lakshadweep Express.jpg
Overview
Service type Super fast Express
StatusDaily Running
First service1 August 1998;26 years ago (1998-08-01) [1]
Current operator(s) Southern Railway
Route
Termini Hazrat Nizamuddin (NZM)
Ernakulam Junction (ERS)
Stops46
Distance travelled3,073 km (1,909 mi)
Average journey time49 hours
Service frequencyDaily
Train number(s)12617 / 12618
On-board services
Class(es) AC 2 tier, AC 3 tier Economy, AC 3 tier, Sleeper class, General Unreserved
Seating arrangementsYes
Sleeping arrangementsYes
Catering facilitiesAvailable
Observation facilitiesLarge windows
Baggage facilitiesAvailable
Technical
Rolling stock LHB coach
Track gauge 1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in)
Electrification Fully Electrified
Operating speed58 km/h (36 mph) average with halts.
Route map
Mangala Lakshadweep Express (NDLS-ERS) route map Mangala Lakshadweep Express (NDLS - ERS) Route map.jpg
Mangala Lakshadweep Express (NDLS–ERS) route map

The train's name and history

The train was started on 26 January 1973 when T. A. Pai was the Minister of Railways. It was started as the first direct train from New Delhi to Kerala and Karnataka. Till then the people of Kerala and Karnataka relied on Grand Trunk Express that operated between Chennai and New Delhi for travel to the capital.

The train then was composed of only second class as Janata Express trains introduced then envisaged a classless society and upheld principles of socialism. It was called Jayanti Janata Express since 1972–73 was the Silver Jubilee (Rajatha Jayanthi) of Indian Independence. [2] The train had two slips one that bifurcated at Shoranur Junction and travelled to Ernakulam Junction and other to Mangalore Central. The Jayanti Janatha Express was discontinued in the 1980s & by the late '80s Mangala Express ran as a slip train, for Kerala Exp which bifurcated/amalgamated at Palakkad Junction. The train number was 2625A/2626A and was christined Link Mangala Exp (MAQ–PGT–MAQ). Since the Konkan Railway was not yet constructed, the train was earlier running between Mangalore and Delhi in a roundabout route through Palakkad Junction, Erode Junction.

Later in 1993, the slip service got discontinued & this train was made independent & officially renamed as 2617/18 Mangala Express. Since the train was running till Mangalore, the name Mangala was derived from Mangaladevi, the most important deity of Mangalore city. In 1998–99 when Konkan Railway was opened this train got rerouted to Mangaluru via Konkan. [3] Later, Ram Vilas Paswan extended this train to Ernakulam Junction in Kochi for the purpose of providing rail connection to Lakshadweep passengers who arrive at Kochi via ship. The booking facilities were opened at Kavaratti. Subsequently, the train got renamed as Mangala Lakshadweep Express.

Traction

As the route is completely electrified a Royapuram Loco Shed / Erode Loco Shed-based WAP-7 electric locomotive hauls the train throughout its entire journey.

Timings

Current timings

This train leaves Ernakulam Junction at 13:30 hrs to reach Hazrat Nizamuddin at 13:30 hrs on the 3rd day. Return this train leaves Hazrat Nizamuddin at 05:40 to reach Ernakulam Junction at 07:10 on the 3rd day. It covers a distance of 2,767 kilometres (1,719 mi) in about 48 hrs 45 mins at an average of 57 km/h (35 mph). The monsoon timings of the train are different and takes 2 hrs 15 minutes more to complete the journey.

Timings before Konkan Railway

This train left Mangalore at 16:10 hrs to reach Hazrat Nizamuddin at 20:25 hrs on the 3rd day. Return this train left Hazrat Nizamuddin at 08:50 hrs to reach Mangaluru at 13:05 hrs on the 3rd day. It covered a distance of 3,014 kilometres (1,873 mi) in about 52 hours 15 mins at an average of 58 km/h (36 mph).

Incidents

Route and halts

Rake composition

Source: [5]

The Train started running with upgraded LHB coaches starting from 12 December, 2021 from Ernakulam and 15 December, 2021 from Nizamuddin.

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References

  1. ↑ "Budget speech of Sri.Ram Vilas Paswan 1997-98 (page no. 12)" (PDF). 26 February 1997.
  2. ↑ Budget India, Railway (20 February 1973). "Budget1973" (PDF). www.indianrailways.gov.in. Government of India, Ministry of Railways.
  3. ↑ "Speech of Shri Nitish Kumar Introducing the Railway Budget for 1998- 99, on 29th May 1998" (PDF). www.indianrailways.gov.in. Government of India, Ministry of Railways.
  4. ↑ "Three coaches of Mangala Express derail". The Hindu. March 2015.
  5. ↑ Azhar. "12617/Mangala Lakshadweep SF Express (PT) - South to Hazrat Nizamuddin SR/Southern Zone - Railway Enquiry". indiarailinfo.com. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
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