Kamakhya–SMVT Bengaluru AC Superfast Express

The 12552/12551 Kamakhya–SMVT Bengaluru AC Superfast Express is a Superfast Express train operated by Northeast Frontier Railway of Indian Railways which connects Bangalore the capital of Karnataka and Guwahati the capital city of Assam, that runs between Kamakhya Junction and Sir M. Visvesvaraya Terminal, Bengaluru[1] in India.

Kamakhya–SMVT Bengaluru AC Superfast Express
WAP-7 hauling Kamakhya–SMVT Bengaluru AC Superfast Express at Balasore
Overview
Service typeSuperfast Express, AC Express
StatusOperating
LocaleAssam, West Bengal, Bihar, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka
First service8 February 2014 [1]
Current operator(s)Northeast Frontier Railway zone
Route
TerminiKamakhya Junction (KYQ)
Sir M. Visvesvaraya Terminal, Bengaluru (SMVB)
Distance travelled3,025 km (1,880 mi)
Average journey time53 hours
Service frequencyWeekly
Train number(s)12552 / 51
On-board services
Class(es)AC 1st Class, AC 2 tier, AC 3 tier
Seating arrangementsNo
Sleeping arrangementsYes
Auto-rack arrangementsNo
Catering facilities
Observation facilitiesLHB coach
Baggage facilitiesBelow the seats
Technical
Rolling stockStandard Indian Railways LHB coach
Track gauge1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in)
ElectrificationYes
Operating speed130 km/h (81 mph) maximum
57.13 km/h (35 mph) including halts

It operates as train number 12552 from Kamakhya to Sir M. Visvesvaraya Terminal and as train number 12551 in the reverse direction, serving the 7 states of Assam, West Bengal, Bihar, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.[2][3][4]

Coaches

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The 12552 / 51 Kamakhya Junction–SMVT Bangalore AC Express has 1 AC 1st Class, 4 AC 2 tier, 11 AC 3 tier & 2 End-on Generator Coaches. In addition, it carries a pantry car [2] [3] [4].

As is customary with most train services in India, coach composition may be amended at the discretion of Indian Railways depending on demand.

Service

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The 12552 Kamakhya Junction–SMVT Bangalore AC Express covers the distance of 3,025 km (1,880 mi) in 52 hours 25 mins averaging 57.71 km/h (36 mph) and in 53 hours 30 mins as 12551 SMVT Bangalore–Kamakhya Junction AC Express averaging 56.54 km/h (35 mph) [5] [6].

As the average speed of the train is above 55 km/h (34 mph), as per Indian Railways rules, its fare includes a Superfast surcharge.

Routing

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The 12552 / 51 Kamakhya Junction–Sir M. Visvesvaraya Terminal AC Express runs from

ASSAM

  1. Kamakhya Junction (Starts)
  2. Rangiya
  3. New Bongaigaon

WEST BENGAL

  1. New Alipurduar
  2. New Cooch Behar
  3. New Jalpaiguri Junction (Siliguri)
  4. Malda Town
  5. Rampurhat
  6. Durgapur
  7. Asansol Junction
  8. Adra Junction
  9. Bankura
  10. Midnapore
  11. Hijli (Kharagpur)

BIHAR

  1. Kishanganj
  2. Barsoi

ODISHA

  1. Balasore
  2. Cuttack Junction
  3. Bhubaneswar
  4. Khurda Road Junction
  5. Brahmapur

ANDHRA PRADESH

  1. Vizianagaram Junction
  2. Samalkot Junction
  3. Vijayawada Junction
  4. Gudur Junction

TAMIL NADU

  1. MGR Chennai Central
  2. Katpadi Junction
  3. Jolarpettai

KARNATAKA

  1. Sir M. Visvesvaraya Terminal (Ends).

Reversal

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It reverses direction of travel twice during its run at Durgapur and MGR Chennai Central [7] [8] [9].

Traction

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As the entire route is fully electrified. A Howrah base WAP 4 hauls the train from Kamakhya Junction up to Durgapur handing over to a Howrah-based WAP-5 until Chennai Central after which a Lallaguda or Erode-based WAP-5 locomotive powers the train all the way up to Sir M. Visvesvaraya Terminal. [10] [11].

Operation

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  • 12552 Kamakhya Junction–Sir M. Visvesvaraya Terminal AC Express runs from Kamakhya Junction every Wednesday reaching SMVT Bangalore on the 3rd day i.e. Friday [12].
  • 12551 Sir M. Visvesvaraya Terminal Junction–Kamakhya Junction AC Express runs from SMVT Bangalore every Saturday reaching Kamakhya Junction on the 3rd day i.e. Monday [13].

Accidents

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On 8 October 2022, A 31-year-old lady travelling with her 3-year-old child and elderly mother slipped and fell between platform no. 1 and the adjoining tracks while hurriedly boarding a moving 12551 SMVT Bengaluru–Kamakhya AC Superfast Express with a manually operated door at SMVT Bengaluru. The lady was initially saved by an officer of the Government Railway Police, who pulled her out onto the platform. She had a fractured arm but unfortunately died while en route to the Bowring & Lady Curzon Hospitals in Shivajinagara, Bengaluru.[5]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Karnataka: 8 trains shifted to Sir MV terminal". Indiatimes.com.
  2. ^ "12552 / 12551 Kamakhya – Yasvantpur – Kamakhya AC Express became the first such train in whole Indian Railway to be fully branded with a State Government publicity campaign on Wednesday". sentinelassam.com.
  3. ^ "These six Express and Superfast trains by Indian Railways are all set for a new look". www.financialexpress.com.
  4. ^ "SMVT Bangalore-Kamakhya AC Superfast Express". indiarailinfo.com.
  5. ^ "Woman falls on track while rushing to board train in Bengaluru, dies". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 28 October 2022.
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