Sikkim Mahananda Express
The 15483 / 15484 Sikkim Mahananda Express or Mahananda Express is an Indian Express train connecting the cities of Old Delhi and Alipurduar. This is a direct train origination from Old Delhi to Alipurduar Junction. The train connects the Eastern and Northern regions, as well as parts of India in the Bihar & Uttar Pradesh areas.
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| Overview | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Service type | Mail/Express | ||||
| Locale | West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh & Delhi | ||||
| First service | 05 May 1989 | ||||
| Current operator(s) | Northeast Frontier Railways | ||||
| Route | |||||
| Start | Alipurduar Junction (APDJ) | ||||
| Stops | 55 | ||||
| End | Old Delhi (DLI) | ||||
| Distance travelled | 1,656 km (1,029 mi) | ||||
| Average journey time | 34 hrs 55 mins | ||||
| Service frequency | Daily | ||||
| Train number(s) | 15483 / 15484 | ||||
| On-board services | |||||
| Class(es) | Composite 2nd+3rd AC (1), AC 3rd (2), Sleeper (13), General (5) | ||||
| Seating arrangements | Yes | ||||
| Sleeping arrangements | Yes | ||||
| Catering facilities | Available | ||||
| Baggage facilities | Available | ||||
| Technical | |||||
| Rolling stock | LHB coaches | ||||
| Track gauge | 1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in) broad gauge | ||||
| Operating speed | Avg. Speed – 47km/hr | ||||
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The name of the train is derived from the Mahananda River, which runs through North Bengal and Eastern Bihar.[1]
As the entire route is not electrified, the train runs with both an electric and diesel locomotive. Usually the train gets a WDP-4/WDP-4B from the Siliguri Diesel Loco Shed for the non-electrified territory and a WAP-4 electric locomotive in the electrified section.
History
The train when introduced used to run from Katihar Junction to Delhi as train number(s) 983/984. This train was later extended to New Jalpaiguri with train number(s) 4083/4084. Finally the train was extended to Alipurduar Junction.[2]
Route & Halts
The important stops of this train between Delhi Junction and Alipurduar Junction are as follows:-
- Delhi Junction
- Delhi Shahdara Junction
- Ghaziabad Junction
- Aligarh Junction
- Firozabad
- Etawah Junction
- Kanpur Central
- Fatehpur
- Prayagraj Junction
- Mirzapur
- Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction
- Patna Junction
- Barauni Junction
- Katihar Junction
- Barsoi Junction
- Kishanganj
- New Jalpaiguri
- Siliguri Junction
- New Mal Junction
- Binnaguri Junction
- Dalgaon Railway Station
- Hasimara Railway Station to
- Alipurduar Junction
Locomotive
It is hauled by a Siliguri-based WDP-4 / WDP-4B / WDP-4D locomotive from APDJ till KIR and then from KIR till DLI it is hauled by a Ghaziabad-based WAP-7 or Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyay Jn -based WAP-4 locomotive and vice versa.
Trivia
In a rare occurrence Sikkim Mahananda Express crosses the Mahananda River five times. The train is named after this river.
Train schedule
Train No.15484 leaves Delhi (DLI) at 06:35 AM and reach to the destined stop Alipurduar Junction (APDJ) at 06:45 PM on day after another. Train No.15483 leaves Alipurduar Junction (APDJ) at 09:50 AM and reach to the destined stop Delhi (DLI) at 10:40 PM on day after another. During the journey of approximately 38 hours the train goes via 56 stations before reaching its destination.[3]
Accommodations
This train comprises 1 Composite AC [2-Tiers+3-Tiers], 2 AC 3-Tiers, 13 Sleeper class, 5 Unreserved General Compartment, 1 Pantry car & 2 Luggage/Parcel cum Brake van which is provided with the Guards' cabin. Total coach composition is 24.
Incidents
- "Goons test guns on train kill Chief Ticket Inspector in Ghaziabad". Hindustan Times. Archived from the original on 29 June 2013. Retrieved 1 December 2012.
- "Crowd torches Mahananda Express in Hathras". Indian Express. Retrieved 1 October 2009.
References
- "Mahananda River". Britannica. Retrieved 22 May 2013.
- "Old Train Number". IRFCA. Retrieved 22 May 2013.
- "Mahananda Express/15483 Live Train Running Status".