VISHWAMANAVA EXPRESS extended upto Belagavi from Nov 1

FLAGGING OFF OF EXTENSION OF TRAIN No. 17326 / 17325 ASHOKAPURAM – HUBBALLI – ASHOKAPURAM VISHWAMANAVA EXPRESS UP TO BELAGAVI AND REGULARIZATION OF TRAIN NO. 06526/06525 BELAGAVI – KSR BENGALURU – BELAGAVI

As per the direction of Shri Suresh C. Angadi, Hon’ble MoSR to improve connectivity between two important cities of Karnataka South Western Railway has decided to extend the Train No. 17326/17325 Ashokapuram – Hubballi – Ashokapuram Vishwamanava Express up to Belagavi.

Shri Suresh C. Angadi, Hon’ble Minister of State of Railways and Shri Laxman S. Savadi, Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister & Transport, Agriculture Minister, Government of Karnataka will flag off the extended Inaugural Special as Train No. 07325 Belagavi – Ashokapuram Express at 16:30 hrs on 01.11.2019 from Belagavi. This inaugural special will run to open timings up to Mysuru.

The regular extended service of train No. 17326/17325 Ashokapuram – Hubballi – Ashokapuram Vishwamanava Express will be as follows: –

Train No. 17326 Ashokapuram – Hubballi Vishwamanava Express commencing the journey from 01.11.2019 will run up to Belagavi instead of Hubballi as Train No. 17326 Ashokapuram – Belagavi Vishwamanava Express. Accordingly, this train will depart from Ashokapuram at 05:15 hrs to arrive Hubballi at 18:53 hrs and depart at 19:05 hrs to reach Belagavi at 22:30 hrs.

Enroute there is no change in the schedule of this train between Ashokapuram – Hubballi. After Hubballi the train will arrive / depart Dharwad – 19:30/19:32, Mugad – 19:54/19:55 hrs, Kambarganvi – 20:06/20:07 hrs, Alnawar – 20:24/20:25 hrs, Tavargatti – 20:36/20:37 hrs, Devarayi – 20:49/20:50 hrs, Londa – 21:04/21:06 hrs, Gunji – 21:22/21:23 hrs, Khanapur – 21:34/21:35 hrs and Desur – 21:51/21:52 hrs.

In the return direction Train No. 17325 Hubballi – Ashokapuram Vishwamanava Express commencing the journey from 02.11.2019 will originate from Belagavi instead of Hubballi as Train No. 17325 Belagavi – Ashokapuram Vishwamanava Express. Accordingly, this train will depart from Belagavi at 05:00 hrs to arrive Hubballi at 08:30 hrs and depart at 08.45 hrs to reach Ashokapuram at 21:15 hrs.

Enroute this train will arrive/depart Desur – 05:09/05:10 hrs, Khanapur – 05:24/05:25 hrs, Gunji – 05:35/05:36 hrs, Londa – 05:48/05:50 hrs, Devarayi – 06:07/06:08 hrs, Tavargatti – 06:19/06:20 hrs, Alnawar – 06:29/06:30 hrs, Kambarganvi – 06:40/06:41 hrs, Mugad – 06:50/06:51 hrs and Dharwad – 07:20/07:22. There is no change in the schedule of this train between Hubballi – Ashokapuram.

The train will have a composition of ONE AC Chair Car, FOUR Chair Cars, ELEVEN General Second Class Coaches and TWO Second Class Luggage cum Brake Vans.

This train will cover about 755 KM of distance and benefit to the people of fifteen districts of Karnataka.

Shri Suresh C. Angadi, Hon’ble Minister of State of Railways and Shri Laxman S. Savadi, Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister & Transport, Agriculture Minister, Government of Karnataka will also announce on the same day the regularization and conversion to latest LHB coaches to Train No. 06526/06525 Belagavi – KSR Bengaluru – Belagavi Express to provide a comfortable journey.

Features of Linke-Hofmann Busch Coaches (LHB Coaches):-

Indian Railways have been transporting passenger traffic mainly through coaches of ICF design. To overcome the limitations in terms of Speed potential, Heavy corrosion, Poor riding comfort&Wearing of parts in the under gear of coaches of ICF design, Indian Railways is suit change over the LHB coaches.

These coaches are produced by Rail Coach Factory in Kapurthala. These coaches were first commissioned in the year 2001. LHB coaches are far superior to ICF coaches with respect to passenger comfort, safety, speed, corrosion, maintenance and aesthetics. These coaches are also longer as compared to ICF design resulting into more carrying capacity.

The benefits from these types of coaches are as under:-

i. Higher carrying capacity – These coaches are about 2 meters longer than ICF coaches. With this extra length, two additional rows of chairs in chair cars or one additional bay in sleeper coaches can be accommodated.

ii. The weight of LHB coach is lesser as compared to ICF design coaches. LHB coach can accommodate 72 passengers as compared to 64 in conventional AC III Tier Coach. Thus giving better pay to tare ratio.

iii. Low corrosion – There will be low corrosion of LHB coaches due to extensive usage of Stainless Steel and better design and manufacturing techniques.

iv. Low Maintenance – Replacement and removal of sub-systems will be required only after one million kilometers.

v. LHB Coaches have aesthetically superior interiors with FRP panels for sidewall and roof. They can be removed easily for maintenance, resist water seepage and are wear-resistant;

vi. There are no visible screws inside the passenger compartments.

vii. Better passenger comfort: Better Riding Index has been specified as compared to conventional ICF coaches.

viii. LHB coach offers better passenger safety due to:

 Use of fire retardant materials for furnishing.

 Provision of emergency open able windows.

 Vertically interlocked Centre Buffer Couplers.

ix. LHB coach offers better passenger amenities due to :

 More space for pantry;

 Individual reading light in chair car;

 Ergonomically designed chairs with reclining back rest

After introduction on 29.06.2019 Train No.06526/06525 Belagavi – KSR Bengaluru – Belagavi Tatkal Superfast Express has been highly popular and always ran to full occupancy. As the train is well patronized, being fast and convenient overnight means to connect Belagavi with Bengaluru, this train is made as a regular service as Train No. 20654/20653 Belagavi – KSR Bengaluru – Belagavi Superfast Express with effect from 01.11.2019.

Table of fare difference:

Train Nos. 06526/06525 Tatkal Superfast Express 20654/20653 Superfast Express Diff (Rs.)

Old fare (Rs.) New fare (Rs.)

I AC 2730 2310 420

2AC 1755 1375 380

3AC 1235 970 265

SL 465 370 95