Amaravati, December 03, 2025: The South Central Railway has shelved its proposal to renumber the iconic Janmabhoomi Express from 12861 to 12761, bowing to strong objections from Andhra Pradesh leaders who view the change as an erasure of historical significance tied to the late Lok Sabha Speaker G M C Balayogi.
The train, a lifeline connecting Visakhapatnam to Vijayawada since 2003, symbolises coastal Andhra's pride and Balayogi's legacy as the first Dalit Speaker from the region, who championed its introduction to ease daily commutes for thousands of professionals.
The decision followed a swift outcry from Visakhapatnam MP M Sribharat and other MPs, who wrote to Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw highlighting the emotional weight of the number.
"The train is a symbol of the aspirations of coastal Andhra and the memory of G M C Balayogi garu," Sribharat stated in his letter, urging retention to honour the Speaker's contributions. Vaishnaw, responding promptly, directed the railway board to reconsider, leading to the hold.
