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. 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.It is the only train which connects Nashik,Manmad to Kerala apart from Coimbatore Jabalpur Express.
MANGALA LAKSHADWEEP SUPERFAST EXPRESS
Nameboard of Mangla Lakshadweep Express.jpg
Overview
Service type
Express
First service
1 August 1998; 23 years ago (changed the route via Konkan Railway and extended to Ernakulam Junction)[1]
Current operator(s)
Southern Railways
Route
Start
Hazrat Nizamuddin (NZM)
Stops
46
End
Ernakulam Junction (ERS)
Distance travelled
3,073 km (1,909 mi)
Average journey time
49 hours
Service frequency
Daily
Train number(s)
12617 / 12618
On-board services
Class(es)
3 Two Tier AC, 4 Three Tier AC, 11SL, General
Seating arrangements
Yes
Sleeping arrangements
Yes
Catering facilities
Yes
Observation facilities
Large windows
Baggage facilities
Available
Technical
Rolling stock
LHB coaches
Track gauge
1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in)
Operating speed
58 km/h (36 mph) average with halts
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 as was christined Link Mangala Exp (MAQ–PGT–MAQ). Since the Konkan Railway was not yet constructed, the train was earlier running between Mangaluru 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 Mangaluru, the name Mangala was derived from Mangaladevi, the most important deity of Mangaluru 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.
Route & Halts Edit
Hazrat Nizamuddin
Mathura
Agra Cantt.
Gwalior Junction
Jhansi Junction
Bina Junction
Bhopal Junction
Itarsi Junction
Khandwa Junction
Bhusaval Junction
Nasik Road
Igatpuri
Kalyan Junction
Panvel
Ratnagiri
Madgaon Junction
Udupi
Mangaluru Junction
Kasaragod
Thalassery
Kozhikode Main
Parappanangadi
Tirur
Shoranur Junction
Thrissur
Aluva
Ernakulam Junction
Timings before Konkan Railway Edit
This train left Mangaluru 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).
AccidentsEdit
On 22 February 2013, 4 coaches of the 12618 Hazrat Nizamuddin–Ernakulam Mangala Lakshadweep Express derailed near Nashik, leaving 20 persons injured.[citation needed] 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.[citation needed] 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
