Udupi, Uttara Kannada passengers irked over change in Yeshwantpur-Madgaon Special Train Route

Coastal Talk News | Udupi 

Passengers from Udupi and Uttara Kannada have expressed their angst over the South Western Railway’s decision to divert the 06591 Yeshwantpur–Madgaon special Navaratri train from Padil to Mangaluru Junction, after tickets had reportedly been booked and the reservation chart released. 

The train had been announced following repeated public demands for a service connecting Bengaluru with Udupi, Karwar and Madgaon via Padil. Passengers alleged that the last-minute route change has left them with little option to cancel their tickets, despite their repeated requests for a direct route that avoids an unnecessary detour through Mangaluru Junction. 

They pointed out that passengers travelling to Mangaluru can reach the city within 20 to 30 minutes by alighting at Bantwal or Surathkal. However, routing the train through Mangaluru Junction could add considerable time due to slow movement, necessity for engine change and waiting for platform availability. They argued that such a detour is unnecessary for a train covering a journey of around 400 km. 

Passengers have also demanded that the railway reduce the two-hour schedule currently allotted for the roughly 50-minute stretch between Bantwal and Surathkal. They said this could help bring the overall journey time down from 18 hours to 16 hours. Passengers have questioned why the railway is not prioritising faster travel on the direct route instead of taking trains to different parts of Mangaluru city. 

The passengers also pointed that the Jokatte station, built at a cost of around Rs 50 crore, but yet to be opened to passengers, reportedly due to the lack of road access. Proposals for stations at Kenjaru and Farangipete are also under consideration, they said. 

“Railway samithis in Mangaluru can seek separate services to Bengaluru from stations in different parts of the city. But trains meant for passengers from Udupi and Karwar should not be forced to take a detour through Mangaluru” stated Ganesh Putran of Kundapur Railway Prayanikara Hitharakshana Samithi.