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Clamour for overnight train service from B'luru-Kannur via Mysuru gathers steam

Mangaluru: Train users from coastal Karnataka, Mysuru have urged railway ministry to restart Bengaluru-Kannur/Karwar overnight express via Mysuru on all days of the week and extend it to Madgaon. This will restore lost connectivity between Mysuru and coastal Karnataka after the ministry had unilaterally cancelled the service on March 7 at the behest of Konkan Railway Corporation (KRCL) to introduce Bengaluru-Karwar direct train bypassing Mangaluru.



KRCL cited revenue loss if more passenger trains are operated on its network as against freight trains that bring revenue.

Seeking reintroduction of the overnight express to Bengaluru, K Venkatesh Kini, member of zonal railway users’ consultative committee of SWR, in his letter to allay KRCL’s concern over loss of path suggested cancellation of train 22636/22635 Mangaluru Central-Madgaon-Mangaluru Central intercity express that has poor patronage.

Kini said Bengaluru-Karwar/Madgaon-Bengaluru train could take the route of intercity express thereby causing no financial loss to KRCL. Cancellation of overnight express has affected regular travellers as well as tourists between the two regions, Kini said. The overnight service was also serving as convenient commuter train between Mangaluru-Karwar. Various railway passenger associations have sought the reintroduction of this train, he said.

Joining the chorus, Mysuru Grahaka Parishat said the ministry must fulfil the demand as the cancellation has completely cut off Mysuru region’s connectivity with the coast. Scores of people travel from Mysuru to Kukke Subrahmanya, Mangaluru, Udupi among others, said Yogendra Swamy of the Parishat. Vacant path of train 16511 could be used to operate Yesvantpur-Mangaluru Central tri-weekly overnight express, which now departs at 4.30pm

Bengaluru-Kannur/Madgaon combined express could leave Bengaluru at 8.30pm, Mysuru at 11.15pm, Mangaluru Central at 8.15am to reach Madgaon at 2pm. On return, train could leave Madgaon at 2.40pm, Mangaluru Central at 8.55pm, Mysuru at 5.30am to reach Bengaluru at 8am. Bengaluru-Kannur-Bengaluru express (16511/16512) via Kunigal could be stopped once daily service via Mysuru is started. Yesvantpur-Mangaluru Central-Yesvantpur service should be made daily, he said.

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