Service type Superfast Train Former operator(s) i | Status Operating | |
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Locale Telangana, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar Current operator(s) South Central Railway, Indian Railways Start Danapur railway station | ||
The Secunderabad Express (Devnagari/Marathi:सिकंदराबाद एक्सप्रेस; Telugu: మణికర్ణిక ఎక్స్ప్రెస్) is a daily train operated by Indian Railways between Secunderabad Railway Station and Danapur railway station via Varanasi. Secunderabad Express was earlier known as Manikarnika Express and Patna Express.
Contents
Name
The train was initially running between Secunderabad Railway Station and Varanasi and in 2004 as biweekly with numbering 7091 and 7092. the train was extended to Patna during Nitish Kumar's regime. The train served Andhra Pradesh pillgrims to visit Varanasi and Ayodhya and Sarnath near Varanasi. The train gets its name from one of the famous Ghats of Varanasi, i.e. Manikarnika Ghat.
This train served historically as second alternative to visit North India after 2721UP/2722Dn Dakshin Express and 2723UP/2724DN Andhra Pradesh Express along with other trains like 2590UP/2589DN Gorakhpur Secunderabad Express and Bangalore Express.
Secunderabad Express will stop at Ara from 10 September 2015.
Historical significance
The train was introduced long back in 1985 as a biweekly train between Tirupati and Varanasi with a typical numbering of "7489 Tirupati–Varanasi" Express and "7490 Varanasi–Tirupati Express" with slip coach service of two sleeper coaches between Hyderabad and Varanasi with amalgamation/bifurcation at Kazipet Junction with Dakshin Express. Though the train gained importance, due to some political and administration influences, the it got extended to Cochin Harbour Terminus and with the reduction of frequency from biweekly to weekly, via Tirupati through Renigunta Junction.
A demand of new train between Hyderabad and Varanasi has been approved by Indian Railways and a new train between "7091" Secunderabad–Varansi Express and "7092" Varansi–Secunderabad Express was flagged off as biweekly in 1987. Consequently, the same coaches and rake composition is used as "7089" Cochin–Varansi Express via Tirupati and "7090" Varanasi–Tirupati Express via Tirupati by cancelling "7489" and "7490" numbering.
Route
Loco link
- Electric:- WAP4 electric loco of Lallaguda of SCR from Secunderabad to Itarsi or WAP4 of Erode/Bhusaval
- Diesel:- WDP4D of ITARSI from Itarsi to Danapur railway station