Mangala Lakshadweep Express

The Mangala Lakshadweep Superfast Express is a Superfast 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. This was the 2nd daily train connecting Kerala state and New Delhi after Kerala Express and provided the 1st daily direct access to the national capital for the Malabar (North Kerala) districts, Coastal Karnataka districts and Lakshadweep.

Mangala Lakshadweep Superfast Express
Overview
Service typeSuperfast
First service1 August 1998 (1998-08-01) (changed the route via Konkan Railway and extended to Ernakulam Junction)[1]
Current operator(s)Southern Railways
Route
StartHazrat Nizamuddin (NZM)
Stops46
EndErnakulam Junction (ERS)
Distance travelled3,073 km (1,909 mi)
Average journey time49 hours
Service frequencyDaily
Train number(s)12617 / 12618
On-board services
Class(es)3 Two Tier AC, 4 Three Tier AC, 11SL, General
Seating arrangementsYes
Sleeping arrangementsYes
Catering facilitiesYes
Observation facilitiesLarge windows
Baggage facilitiesAvailable
Technical
Rolling stockICF Coaches
Track gauge1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in)
Operating speed63 km/h (39 mph) average with halts
Route map
Mangala Lakshadweep Express (NDLS - ERS) Route map
WDP 4 pulls Mangla lakshadweep Superfast Express at Kalyan Jn
Coachboard of Mangla Lakshadweep Express

The train's name

As the Konkan Railway was not yet constructed, the train was earlier running between Mangaluru and Delhi in a roundabout route. Since the train was running till Mangaluru, the name Mangala was derived from Mangaladevi, the most important deity of Mangaluru city. Once the Konkan route was completed, this train was diverted via the Konkan. Later, this train was extended to Ernakulam Junction in Kochi. The train is renamed as Mangala Lakshadweep Express as Kochi is a major port city on the south-west coast of India bordering the Laccadive Sea.

Traction

Commonly this train uses Erode / Arakkonam based WAP 4 or Royapuram based WAP 7 locomotive from Ernakulam Junction to Mangaluru Junction and changes to WDP 4D of Golden Rock from Mangaluru Junction to Igatpuri. And from Igatpuri to Hazrat Nizamuddin it is hauled by Tughlakabad based WAP 7 locomotive.

Timings

This train leaves Ernakulam Junction at 13:25 to reach Hazrat Nizamuddin at 13:25 on the 3rd day. Return this train leaves NZM at 05:40 to reach Ernakulam Junction at 07:30 on the 3rd day. It covers a distance of 3066 km in about 49 hours at an average of 64 km/h (40 mph). The monsoon timings of the train are different and takes longer duration to complete the journey.

Accidents

On 22 February 2013, 4 coaches of the 12618 Hazrat Nizamuddin-Ernakulam Mangala Lakshadweep Express derailed near Nashik, leaving 20 persons injured. On 15 November 2013, 10 coaches including all the AC coaches of the 12618 Hazrat Nizamuddin-Ernakulam Mangala Lakshadweep Express derailed near Nashik again at 6:40 a.m., leaving 5 persons dead and 50 injured. In both cases, track rupture is suggested as cause of the accident. On 1 March 2015 3 coaches of 12617 ( S9, S10 & Pantry car) Hazrat Nizamuddin-Ernakulam derailed near Pen, Raigad district with no casualties reported since the train was just outbound on the station and picking up speed.[2]

Route & Halts

Rake Composition
  • 3 AC II Tier
  • 4 AC III Tier
  • 11 Sleeper Coaches
  • 2 General
  • 2 Second-class Luggage/parcel van
Loco 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23
SLRGENS1S2S3S4S5S6S7S8PCS9S10S11B1B2B3B4A1A2A3GENSLR

References
  1. "Budget speech of Sri.Ram Vilas Paswan 1997-98 (page no. 12)" (PDF). 26 February 1997.
  2. "Three coaches of Mangala Express derail". The Hindu. March 2015.
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