The following details with respect to 12432 had earlier posted in another blog related to Indian Railway and received valuable opinions and comments from the co-bloggers. I reproduce the same post in verbatim herein for initiating a discussion in this blog.
NZM – Panvel
By speeding up and giving topmost priority the 12432 can reduce the running time from NZM to Panavel by minimum one hour from existing running time of 18 hrs 5 minutes to 17 hrs. Please note that 12951 (Mum Raj) is covering almost the same distance in 16...
more... hrs 5 minutes and 12954 (AK Raj) is taking 17 hrs and 22210 (BCT Duronto) is taking 16 hrs 15 minutes. Since 12432 also running with LHB bogies and also hauled mostly by WAP-5 and occasionally by WAP-7 Locos and having less stoppages reducing the running time realistically to 16 hrs 45 minutes is not difficult.
Panvel – Mangalore
From Panavel to Mangalore especially during non monsoon period the running time can be reduced. It is shocking to find that 12432 and 12978(Marusagar Express) takes exactly same 15 hrs 30 minutes to cover the distance. It is clear that, if an express train with normal bogies can cover the distance as same as that of 12432, it will not be difficult to reduce the running time of 12432 in this stretch by 45 -50 minutes especially during the non monsoon period.
Mangalore- Kozhikode (Calicut)
12432 takes 3 hrs 38 minutes to cover this section. However, normal express trains like 12654 (Tiruchi express) and 22609 (Intercity Express) takes only 3 hrs 30 minutes to cover this section. Since the existing running time from Mangalore to Kozhikode was set up way beck in 1998, when the whole section was single, now the whole section is doubled and the electrification work is in progress. Running time can be reduced by another 35 minutes in this section alone.
Kozhikode (Calicut) – Shornur JN
Alloted running time of 12432 in this section is 1 hr 40 minutes. Whereas many express trains cover this section with taking less time. 22609 (Intercity Express) takes 1 hr 25 minutes to cover this section. Whereas 12081 (JanShadabdi) and 12075 (Janshadabdi) and 16856 (Puducherry express) takes 1 hr 30 minutes. 12654 (Tiruchi express) and 16687 (Navyug Express) cover this section by taking only 1 hr 35 minutes. The existing running time from Kozhikode to Shornur was set up way beck in 1998, when the whole section was single, now the whole section is doubled and the electrification work is in progress. Running time can be reduced by another 25 minutes in this section alone.
Shornur JN- Ernakulam JN
Thiruvananthapuram Raj Express takes 2 hrs 30 minutes to cover this section during night time. Whereas 12081 (JanShadabdi) takes 1 hr 50 minutes during daytime to cover the same section with normal ICF Bogies. 19260 (BVC Kochuveli express), 16333 (VRVL TVC express) and 16335 (Nagarkovil express) takes 1 hr 55 minutes. 16311 (Bikaner- KCVL), 16344 (Amrita) and 16350 (Rajya rani) takes 2 hrs to cover. 12075 (janshadabdi), 16603 (Maveli), 16630 (Malabar) takes 2 hrs 5 minutes to cover the section. 16337 (okha) and 06303 (Nagarkovil) takes 2 hrs 10 minutes. 16345 (Netravati) and 16649 (Parasuram) takes 2 hrs 15 min. 16605 (Ernad express) 16348 TVC express and 12201 Kochveli Garib Rath takes 2 hrs 20 Min. 16327 Korba TVC Express and 12288 DDN KCVL Express takes 2 hrs 25 min. hence running time can be reduced by 40 minutes.
Ernakulam Jn – Thiruvananthapuram.
12432 consume 4 hrs 25 min to cover the last strech from Ernakulam to Trivandrum. Train No. 22619 BSP –Ten takes only 4 hrs and 16325 (Ahalyanagari Express takes 4 hrs 10 Min 16631 TVC Express 4 Hrs 15 Min and 16128 express takes only 4 hrs 20 min to cover this section. Since 12432 passes this section during midnight and early morning and can reduce the running time to 3 hrs 50 min and save another 35 minutes from the existing running time.
Hence, my suggestion is if the Northern Railway decides to fine tune the existing timetable of this train, the overall the running time of this train can be reduced by a minimum of 4 hrs 30 minutes in down direction.
I look forward for reasonable thoughts and suggestions from co-bloggers.