Mangaluru: The South Western Railway (SWR) has planned to operate a special train between Bengaluru and Mangaluru called Suvidha Dasara, in order to accommodate the increased passenger load during the Dasara festival.
The Bengaluru-Mangaluru service (82655) will start from Yeswanthpur on October 4 at 10.20 PM and reach Mangaluru Junction at 8.30 AM the next day via Shravanabelagola and Hassan. The Mangaluru- Bengaluru service (82656) will start on October 8 from Mangaluru Junction at 10.15 PM and reach Yelahanka at 8 AM the next day via Hassan, Shravanabelagoal and Yeswanthpur bypass.
According to a notification issued by the SWR, the train will comprise of 3 Tier AC coach, 12 second-class sleeper coaches and two luggage cum-brake vans.
It is common practice for private operators to increase fares during festivals. Hence, there was a demand for the operation of special trains to the coastal region.
After the SWR received a good response from the passengers for operating special train services between the two cities during Ganesh Chaturthi, Dakshina Kannada MP and state BJP president Nalin Kumar Kateel and Udupi–Chikkamagaluru MP Shobha Karandlaje urged them to offer similar services during the Dasara festival as well.
There is also a demand for special trains with more coaches till Karwar, however, the SWR has not taken a decision in this regard yet.
