Now Reading: Train numbers change as Mangaluru region shifts to SWR
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Train numbers change as Mangaluru region shifts to SWR
The Story in Brief
Train numbers for nine express services including the Vande Bharat Express, Malabar Express and Parasuram Express will change from January 1, 2027, following the transfer of the Mangaluru Railway Region from Southern Railway's Palakkad division to South Western Railway's Mysuru division. The Vande Bharat Express between Mangaluru Central and Thiruvananthapuram Central will become 26659/660, the Malabar Express will become 16229/230, and the Parasuram Express will become 16249/250. Six pairs of passenger trains will also get new numbers. Timings and stoppages will not change.
South Western Railway issued the notification on October 27. The renumbering reflects that the trains now belong to or are primarily maintained by the Mysuru division. The first digit '1' indicates an express service, the second digit '6' denotes the SWR zone, and the third digit '2' signifies the Mysuru division. The transfer took effect at midnight on September 30-October 1. Additional Divisional Railway Manager of Mysuru, Shammas Hameed, visited key locations in Mangaluru including Mangaluru Central and Mangaluru Junction to oversee the transition and review staffing and facilities.
Indian Opinion Analysis
The renumbering is a technical consequence of Mangaluru region's transfer to South Western Railway, but it affects nine express and Vande Bharat services and six passenger trains that passengers identify by route and schedule. SWR promised a three-month status quo that ends on January 1, 2027, when the new numbers take effect. No timings or stoppages change, so the impact is entirely on ticketing and platform display: travellers and station staff must adapt to the new five-digit codes without any change in the actual journey. The transition also involved a senior officer from Mysuru division visiting Mangaluru to inspect facilities and review staffing, suggesting the railways are working to prevent operational disruption during the switch.
Source: thehindu.com
This brief was synthesised by AI from the source linked above. Methodology and corrections.
