Mangalore, October 18: The Yeshwanthpur-Mangalore-Yeshwanthpur train to Karwar was flagged off at Mangalore Central Railway station on Thursday by K H Muniyappa, Union Minister of State for Railways.
The train no.16517/16518 Yeshwanthpur-Kannur-Yeshwanthpur express will be bifurcated to Kannur and Karwar with effect from today. While the train to Karwar will comprise of 13 coaches including two luggage cum brake van, eight sleeper coaches, one AC 2 tier coach, one AC 3 tier coach, one General coach, the train to Kannur will comprise of 5 coaches including one luggage cum brake van, two sleeper coaches, one AC 3 tier coach and one General coach.
Following is the station-wise route of the train no. 16523 (Yeshwanthpur to Karwar): Yeshwanthpur – Bangalore – Mandya – Mysore – Krishnarajanagara – Holenarasipura – Hassan – Sakleshpura – Subhramanya Road – Kabakaputtur – Bantwal – Mangalore Central – Surathkal – Mulky – Udupi – Barkur – Kundapur – Mookambika Road Byndoor – Bhatkal – Murudeshwara – Kumta – Gokarna Road – Ankola – Karwar. The train will be bifurcated at Mangalore Central railway station for the Kannur route which will be: Mangalore Central – Kasaragod – Kanhangad – Payynaur – Kannur.
Speaking at the formal function on the occasion, Mr. Muniyappa said that he will try to introduce as many tracks as possible for the Karwar-Mangalore route so that there is greater frequency. Admitting that at the moment there are a few reservation hassles, the Minister assured that from January 1, there will be smooth functioning of reservations. Stating that the train flagged off today was a long pending demand of the people of this region, Mr. Muniyappa said that he will look to introduce separate full trains for Kawar and Kannur routes instead of the current bifurcated train. A train to Dadar (Mumbai) from Mangalore will also be introduced in the near future, he added.
Oscar Fernandes, MP, said that there is a need for more trains in the coastal region as road accidents are frequently taking place in the region. work as deaths are taking place in the region owing to the incomplete status of work. Mr. Fernandes also stressed on the need to have a direct train to Bangalore from Mangalore in the shortest possible route as taking the Mysore route is proving time consuming for passengers.
Nalin Kumar Kateel, MP, urged Minister Muniyappa to speed up the Baikampady National Highway and Railway bridge project. Mr. Kateel also appealed to the Minister to free Mangalore from the Palakkad Division and create a separate Mangalore Division.
Jayaprakash Hegde, MP, appealed to the Minister to include more bogeys in the introduced train to ensure safety and convenience of passengers. The train service will be of great help to people living in areas Mulky onwards i.e. Udupi and Uttara Kannada districts.
Yogish Bhat, Deputy Speaker, Karnataka Legislative Assembly, said that there is an immediate need to address the issue of over bridges and under bridges at Jeppu Kudpadi, Bajal and Padil.
UT Khader, MLA, said that although it is heartening to see developments taking place in Mangalore Centra l Railway Station, smaller stations such as Ullal and Surathkal continue to be neglected. Basic facilities must be provided in these stations, he said. He also said that the British system of administration in the departments of Railway and Revenue should be done away with as every issue and problem needs to be taken to Delhi to be addressed.
B P Thayal, MD, Konkan Railway, said that the Konkan Railway is today a profit making body and the earned profits will be ploughed back in developing railway stations in the region. Rs 3 crore would be spent this year in 23 stations for developing passenger amenities such as high level platforms, foot-over bridges etc. PRS system will be introduced in Kundapur and Surathkal stations, he said. He also brought to the notice of Mr. Muniyappa the problem of unavailability of adequate water supply at Karwar station and requested him to address the issue.
B Ramanath Rai, MLA, Gulzar Banu, Mayor, Piyush Agarwal, Divisional Railway Manager, Palakkad Division, were present among others.
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