Mangaluru: Mangaluru is a major City in the State of Karnataka known for its well-connected four modes of transport – rail, air, road and sea. It is also known as Port City of Karnataka. Being a major City present in Dakshina Kannada District of Karnataka, however it lacks a well-facilitated railway station.
Mangalore Central Railway Station, also known as Mangalore Central is one of the major stations in the City of Mangaluru. Mangaluru Central is one of five central railways in India. It is one of the biggest terminal stations under Palakkad Division. Mangaluru comes under Southern Railway that provides connectivity to Konkan Railway and South Western Railway under Indian Railways.
Mangaluru Railway connectivity first happened in the year 1907. A narrow gauge connected Mangaluru with Hassan later; broad-gauges connected Mangaluru with Bengaluru via Hassan. Mangaluru Junction is another major station in the City formerly known as Kankanady Railway Station. The longest running train, the grand trunk express originated from Mangaluru Central and ran till Peshawar in the year 1929 – 30.
Although, one among five Central Railway Stations in India, Mangaluru Central lacks its own division. Mangaluru Central comes under Palakkad Division of Indian Railways. Around 90 per cent of revenue from the ports of Mangaluru are used by Palakkad Division, so the demand for forming a new division in Mangaluru has always been persistent, but has never received much encouragement from the authorities that need to approve the same. Mangaluru Central’s need for a division is under consideration from a long time.
