Indian Railways has officially announced the conversion of the iconic Sabari Express (17229/30) into a Superfast Express service with new train numbers 20630/20629, effective from September 29, 2025. This upgrade not only reduces travel time between Thiruvananthapuram (TVC) and Secunderabad (SC) but also streamlines operations with enhanced scheduling, better punctuality, and essential operational changes. Below is a complete breakdown of the changes, revised timings, and route benefits.
Summary of Changes
| Previous Train Nos. | New Train Nos. | Route | Effective From | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17229 / 17230 | 20630 / 20629 | Thiruvananthapuram ↔ Secunderabad (TVC–SC–TVC) | 29th September 2025 | Converted to Superfast |
Why the Change?
Indian Railways has upgraded the long-distance Sabari Express to Superfast status:
- New Numbers: 20630 (TVC–SC) and 20629 (SC–TVC)
- Effective: Journey Commencing On (JCO) 29.09.2025
- Reason: Reduce travel time and improve punctuality
- Impact: Superfast surcharge applies
Revised Timings Snapshot (Train 20630 - TVC → SC)
| Station | Arrives | Departs |
|---|---|---|
| Thiruvananthapuram Central | — | 06:45 |
| Ernakulam Town | 11:10 | 11:15 |
| Palakkad Junction (Watering) | 13:57 | 14:00 |
| Erode Junction (Watering) | 17:15 | 17:25 |
| Katpadi Junction | 21:15 | 21:20 |
| Gudur Junction | 01:08 | 01:10 |
| Tenali Junction | 05:10 | 05:12 |
| Guntur Junction (Watering) | 06:05 | 06:15 |
| Secunderabad Junction | — | 11:00 (Next Day) |
Revised Timings Snapshot (Train 20629 - SC → TVC)
| Station | Arrives | Departs |
|---|---|---|
| Secunderabad Junction | — | 14:25 |
| Guntur Junction (Watering) | 18:35 | 18:45 |
| Tenali Junction | 19:33 | 19:35 |
| Gudur Junction | 23:38 | 23:40 |
| Renigunta Jn (Watering/CTS) | 00:50 | 01:00 |
| Katpadi Junction | 03:45 | 03:50 |
| Palakkad Junction (Watering) | 10:12 | 10:15 |
| Thiruvananthapuram Central | — | 18:20 (Next Day) |
Operational Improvements
- Watering and maintenance at key stops: Palakkad, Erode, Guntur, Renigunta
- Decoupled from Padmavati Express for better punctuality
- Revised run timings optimized for efficiency
Travel Benefit
| Direction | Previous Duration | New Duration |
|---|---|---|
| TVC → SC | ~41 hrs | ~40 hrs 15 min |
| SC → TVC | ~41 hrs | ~40 hrs 20 min |
Source : X-Image
India
