Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru
Mangaluru, May 20: Rail passengers travelling to and from Mangaluru over the next two weeks are likely to face disruptions, with several express train services partially cancelled, diverted through alternate routes, or delayed owing to track maintenance works in the South Western Railway network under the Thiruvananthapuram division.
In an official notification issued on Tuesday, railway authorities announced operational changes affecting multiple services between May 20 and June 2.
The affected services include Train Nos. 17378/17377, 16355/16356, 16603 and 22207, covering the Mangaluru Central – Vijayapura Express, Antyodaya Express, Maveli Express and Dr. M G R Chennai Central Superfast Express.
According to the statement, Train No. 17378 Mangaluru Central–Vijayapura Express departing from Mangaluru Central on May 20 will short-terminate at Bagalkot, resulting in the partial cancellation of services between Bagalkot and Vijayapura.
Similarly, Train No. 17377 Vijayapura–Mangaluru Central Express scheduled to depart on May 21 will commence its journey only from Bagalkot at 5 pm, with services between Vijayapura and Bagalkot remaining cancelled for the day.
Major route changes have also been announced for the Antyodaya Express services. Train No. 16355 Thiruvananthapuram North–Mangaluru Junction Antyodaya Express departing on May 28 and 30 will be diverted via Kottayam, skipping its regular stoppages at Alappuzha and Ernakulam Junction.
To minimise inconvenience to passengers, additional stoppages will be provided at Chengannur, Kottayam and Ernakulam Town stations.
Meanwhile, Train No. 16356 Mangaluru Junction–Thiruvananthapuram North Antyodaya Express departing on May 29 will face a regulation delay of nearly 30 minutes en route, the statement added.
The maintenance works will also affect the Maveli Express services. Train No. 16603 Mangaluru Central–Thiruvananthapuram Central Maveli Express departing on May 29 will operate via Kottayam instead of its usual coastal route, skipping stoppages at Alappuzha, Ambalappuzha and Haripad.
However, passengers travelling on the diverted train will be provided additional halts at Ernakulam Town, Kottayam, Changanassery, Tiruvalla and Chengannur.
Further, the same Maveli Express departing from Mangaluru Central on May 27, 28, 30 and June 1 and 2 will be regulated for around 40 minutes during the journey owing to operational restrictions linked to the maintenance schedule.
Another key service affected is the twice-weekly Chennai Superfast Express originating from MGR Chennai Central. Train No. 22207 departing on May 29 will also be diverted via Kottayam, skipping scheduled stoppages at Ernakulam Junction and Alappuzha.
Railway authorities said additional stoppages for this service would be arranged at Ernakulam Town, Kottayam and Chengannur.
“The changes have been implemented to facilitate essential track maintenance works in the Thiruvananthapuram Division,” the railway notification stated.
Passengers have been advised to verify the latest train schedules and running status before commencing their journey through IRCTC or the National Train Enquiry System (NTES).