Passengers travelling between the Karnataka coast and Mumbai by the Mumbai CSMT-Mangaluru Junction-Mumbai CSMT Superfast Express (Train 12133/12134) have urged the Railways to make a rake-sharing arrangement for the train with the Mangaluru Central-MGR Chennai Central-Mangaluru Central Superfast Express (12685/12686).
This, according to many passengers, will ensure that the Mangaluru Junction-Mumbai CSMT Express starts at the right time — 1.55 p.m. — and reaches Mumbai at the scheduled time — 4.25 a.m. — the next day. The Mumbai CSMT-Mangaluru Junction Express, which should arrive at Mangaluru Junction at 1.10 p.m., generally arrives with an average delay of 45 minutes, thereby delaying its return journey.
Voicing public concern over the issue, National Railway Users’ Consultative Council member Kunjal Venkatesh Kini has written to the Divisional Manager of Southern Railway’s Palakkad Division, urging him to introduce an arrangement of sharing rakes between the two services. Because of the delayed departure of CSMT Express, the travelling public is affected a lot as the train reaches Mumbai late, he noted.
Mr. Kini also noted such an arrangement between the Mumbai LTT-Mangaluru Central-Mumbai LTT Matsyagandha Express (12619/12620) and the Thiruvananthapuram Central-Mangaluru Central-Thiruvana- nthapuram Central (16347/16348) was working excellently, with no delay in operations on both sides.
Extension to Central
For such an arrangement between the Mumbai and Chennai trains, the CSMT Express has to be extended to Mangaluru Central, Mr. Kini noted, adding that there was availability of platforms at Central for receiving and despatching the train.
Mr. Kini also said that the Chennai-Mangaluru Central Express arrives at Central at 9.05 a.m. and the rake remains idle till 4.15 p.m., which is the train’s departure time. The CSMT-Mangaluru Express could be made to arrive at Central at 2.25 p.m., considering the regular delayed arrival of 45 minutes. The rake then may be used to operate the Mangaluru Central-MGR Chennai Central Express (12686) at 4.15 p.m.
Meanwhile, the rake of the MGR Chennai Central-Mangaluru Central Express (12685) that arrives at Central at 9.05 a.m. may be used to operate the Mangaluru Central-Mumbai CSMT Express, leaving Central at 1.30 p.m. and Junction at 1.55 p.m., Mr. Kini suggested.
During the monsoon timetable, when trains are operated at lower speeds on the Konkan Railway network, the CSMT Express may be despatched from Central at 2.40 p.m., instead of the scheduled 4.45 p.m., to reach Mumbai at 8.30 a.m. with the Chennai Express rake, Mr. Kini suggested.