Sir,

Train number 16031/16032 Andaman Express currently operates as a Tri-weekly Express from Chennai Central to Sri Mata Vaishnov Devi Katra via Vijayawada-Warangal-Ballarshah-Nagpur-Bhopal-Jhansi-Gwalior-Agra Cantt-New Delhi-Ludhiana-Jalandhar Cantt-Pathankot and Jammu Tawi. It is given to understand that this prestigious train leaves from Chennai Central in the early morning at 5 via New Delhi-Jammu Tawi to reach its final destination at Sri Mata Vaishnov Devi Katra Station.

Further there is now an urgent necessity to connect Bengaluru directly with New Delhi and beyond including to places like Jammu Tawi and Katra. The suggestion to extend the existing schedule of Andaman Express upto Bengaluru will prove to be very beneficial to many passengers to get a direct connectivity upto Jammu Tawi.  As it is given to understand that the train shares its rake with 16093/16094 Chennai Central-Lucknow Junction Weekly Express, the latter can be discontinued without any RSA and thus operate with a separate single rake.

The suggested extension will also provide an additional connectivity between Bengaluru and Chennai Central as the train leaves overnight from Bengaluru to continue its journey from the Chennai Central in the early morning and finally reach its destination via New Delhi-Jammu Tawi.

Hence, the Ministry of Railways and the Northern Railway Zone officials are requested to consider the suggestion of extension of 16031/16032 Chennai Central-Sri Mata Vaishnov Devi Katra Andaman Express upto Bengaluru and implement the same in the best interest of rail passengers looking for a direct connectivity beyond Jammu Tawi from Bengaluru.

– Varun Dambal, Bengaluru, 9.11.2019

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