Mangaluru: Indian Railways has announced a special express train service between Mangaluru Central and Hyderabad to manage increased passenger demand during the post-summer travel season. The special service, introduced by the Palakkad Division of Southern Railway, will operate four round trips during June, offering additional travel options for passengers commuting between Telangana, Karnataka and Kerala.
Railway officials said the temporary service has been introduced in response to rising passenger traffic caused by the reopening of schools and colleges, increased work-related travel and growing tourism activity across the region.
Special service to operate weekly
According to an official release, the Hyderabad-Mangaluru special train (Train No. 07097) will operate every Wednesday from June 3 to June 24.
The train will depart Hyderabad at 4.20 am and arrive at Mangaluru Central Railway Station at 9.30 am the following day, providing an overnight travel option for passengers.
The return service, Train No. 07098, will run every Thursday from June 4 to June 25. It will leave Mangaluru Central at 8.00 pm and reach Hyderabad at 4.00 am on Saturday.
The service is expected to provide much-needed relief to passengers facing difficulty securing confirmed tickets on regular trains operating along the route.
Train to have 24 coaches
The special express train will consist of 24 coaches designed to cater to travellers across different categories.
The rake composition includes three AC 2-tier coaches, five AC 3-tier coaches, ten sleeper-class coaches, four general second-class coaches and two luggage-cum-brake vans.
The varied coach composition is expected to accommodate passengers from different economic backgrounds while meeting demand for both reserved and unreserved travel.
Railway authorities believe the additional capacity will help reduce waiting lists on regular services connecting Hyderabad with coastal Karnataka and northern Kerala.
Major stations along the route
During its journey, the train will halt at several important railway stations across Telangana, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
Key stops in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh include Begumpet, Lingampalli, Vikarabad, Raichur, Mantralayam Road, Guntakal, Anantapur, Dharmavaram and Hindupur.
Within Karnataka, the train will halt at Sedam, Yadgir, Krishna, Yelahanka, Krishnarajapuram and Bangarapet, offering connectivity to passengers travelling from different parts of the state.
The service will also stop at Kuppam, Salem Junction, Erode Junction and Tiruppur before entering Kerala.
Further halts include Palakkad Junction, Kozhikode, Vadakara, Thalassery, Kannur, Payyanur, Kanhangad and Kasaragod before reaching Mangaluru.
Relief for passengers during busy season
Railway officials noted that passenger demand has remained high in recent weeks due to educational institutions reopening after summer vacations and increased movement of employees returning to workplaces.
The special train is expected to significantly ease pressure on existing services that have been witnessing long waiting lists and heavy bookings.
The route is also likely to benefit tourists travelling to coastal Karnataka and northern Kerala, as well as pilgrims visiting Mantralayam, one of the most popular pilgrimage destinations in South India.
In addition, IT professionals commuting between Hyderabad and Bengaluru may find the service useful due to its convenient connectivity through major railway hubs in Karnataka.
Bookings already open
Indian Railways has commenced reservations for the special service through regular railway booking channels. Passengers can book tickets online as well as through railway reservation counters.
Officials have encouraged travellers planning journeys during June to make use of the additional service, which is expected to provide greater flexibility and improved travel convenience.
The introduction of the special express reflects Indian Railways’ efforts to address seasonal passenger demand and ensure smoother travel experiences during one of the busiest periods of the year.
