Rail Users Demand Replacement of Outdated Coaches on Matsyagandha Express

Rail users are urging the replacement of the 25-year-old ICF coaches on the iconic Matsyagandha Express (12619/20), which runs between Mangaluru and Mumbai. A viral video showing railway staff attempting to repair the train’s ceiling has brought renewed attention to the issue. Despite repeated requests from MPs, MLAs, and public grievances over the past five years, Southern Railway has not replaced the old coaches with modern LHB ones.

MP Kota Shrinivas Poojary recently addressed the matter in a letter to Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, emphasizing the train’s historical significance as it was inaugurated on the day Konkan Railway was dedicated to the nation by former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. While the Matsyagandha Express celebrated its silver jubilee, passengers remain dissatisfied due to the outdated and deteriorating coaches.

Ganesh Puthran, president of the Kundapur Railu Prayanikara Hitarakshana Samithi, stated that the viral video has prompted further communication with Southern Railway officials. The Udupi-Chikkamagalur MP has reportedly been in touch with railway authorities, who have assured the replacement of the coaches. The Matsyagandha Express, which was first flagged off on May 1, 1998, by PM Vajpayee and Railway Minister George Fernandes, holds significant sentimental value, making the call for updated coaches even more pressing.

Roof Collapse on Matsyagandha Express Sparks Renewed Calls for LHB Coaches