Sir,

The recent move by the South Western Railway (SWR), Mysuru Division, to revise the break / maintenance schedule of Train No. 12007 / 12008 Shatabdi Express and No.22607 / 22608 Vande Bharat Express running between Mysuru and Chennai via Bengaluru and back is most welcome.

As per the revised schedule, effective from 20.12.2023 train No. 12007 / 12008 Shatabdi will have a break every week on Thursday while train No.22607 / 22608 Vande Bharat on Wednesday (SOM dated Aug. 23, 2023).

Presently the departure timings of these two trains from Chennai differ marginally by a gap of 10 mins; Train No. 20607 departs at 05.50 hrs while No.12007 at 06.00 hrs. These timings are surely based on the track availability en route at various points. However, being quite often a commuter of these two Super Fast / Luxury trains to Chennai, I strongly suggest the concerned authorities to give a thought on starting one of these two trains from Mysuru and the other from Chennai in the wee hours anywhere between 05.00 and 06.00 hrs.

The return timings from Chennai / Mysuru could be rescheduled accordingly. No doubt this is a tough task ahead for the authorities in view of the traffic load on the tracks especially between Mysuru and Bengaluru.

I am sure this change if implemented the commuters especially traveling between Bengaluru and Chennai while being happy, would be largely benefited. Further the number of commuters by these trains might also increase visa a visa the revenue to the SWR.

Consequent to this change, I am aware of the additional problem involved heretofore with respect to rescheduling of the timings of the superfast train No.12610 from Mysuru to Chennai, which is presently leaving Mysuru at 05.00 hrs. However with a sincere approach any knotty issue could be definitely solved successfully.

– N. Narayan Prasad, [Former Sr. Scientist, Defence Food Research Laboratory, DRDO], R.S. Naidu Nagar, 27.8.2023

You can also mail us your views, opinions, and stories to [email protected]