Mangaluru‘s rail connectivity may soon get a much-needed boost as the Paschima Karavali Railway Yatri Abhivridhi Samithi has submitted a list of demands to Union Minister of State for Jal Shakti and Railways, V Somanna, during his recent coastal visit. The focus: enhancing passenger convenience, long-distance connectivity, and station infrastructure.
The samithi requested the extension of key express trains—including Yesvantpur–Mangaluru Junction Express (Train Nos. 16575/76 and 16539/40) and the Mumbai CSMT–Mangaluru Junction Express (Train Nos. 12133/34)—up to Mangaluru Central. This move would provide easier access for city passengers and streamline connections.
A major proposal was the extension of the Mangaluru–Madgaon Vande Bharat Express all the way to Mumbai CSMT, enabling high-speed travel between three major western coastal cities.
To improve local commuting, the samithi also pitched a Mangaluru–Madgaon daily commuter train, departing around 6 PM and returning the next morning. They suggested utilizing the lie-over rake of the Ernad Express to optimize existing resources, minimizing operational costs.
Highlighting long-distance travel needs, the samithi urged the relaunch of the Mangaluru–Katra Navayuga Express, with a revamped route through Subrahmanya Road, Hassan, Pune, Bhopal, and New Delhi, connecting the coast to North India more efficiently.
Beyond train services, the samithi emphasized infrastructure upgrades—notably, transforming Mangaluru Central into a world-class station and setting up prepaid autorickshaw counters at both Mangaluru Central and Junction, replicating the successful model in Bengaluru.
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