Mangaluru: The railway section connecting Mangaluru and Subrahmanya Road in Dakshina Kannada district generated ₹31.31 crore in revenue from approximately 16.38 lakh passengers between January 2025 and August 2026. The figures highlight the importance of the railway line for passenger movement, pilgrimage travel and connectivity across the coastal and hinterland regions of Karnataka.

According to data reported by Daijiworld on October 10, 2026, nine railway stations along the section recorded the combined passenger traffic over the 20-month period. Subrahmanya Road station accounted for the largest share of both passenger numbers and revenue, followed by Kabaka Puttur and Bantwal stations.

Subrahmanya Road Station Leads Passenger Traffic

Subrahmanya Road railway station emerged as the busiest station along the section, recording approximately 8.05 lakh passengers during the period. This accounted for around 49% of the total passenger traffic across all nine stations.

The station generated approximately ₹18.86 crore in revenue, contributing nearly 60% of the section’s overall earnings.

Its performance is linked to its role as a railway access point for pilgrims travelling to prominent religious destinations, including Kukke Subrahmanya and Dharmasthala. Passenger numbers tend to increase during festivals, temple fairs and pilgrimage seasons, contributing to the station’s substantial share of the traffic and revenue.

The figures underline the importance of rail connectivity for people travelling to religious centres in the region.

Kabaka Puttur and Bantwal Record Strong Numbers

Kabaka Puttur railway station ranked second in passenger traffic, registering approximately 5.04 lakh passengers between January 2025 and August 2026. The station generated ₹7.59 crore in revenue during the same period.

It also recorded the sale of around 53,000 platform tickets, the highest among the nine stations covered in the report. Platform ticket sales reflect the station’s role in accommodating visitors and people accompanying railway passengers.

Bantwal station ranked third, recording approximately 2.15 lakh passengers and generating ₹4.69 crore in revenue.

Together, Subrahmanya Road, Kabaka Puttur and Bantwal accounted for approximately 14.25 lakh passengers, representing around 87% of the total passenger traffic across the railway section.

Their combined contribution highlights the concentration of railway activity at these three stations, while smaller stations continue to serve communities along the route.

Rural Stations Also Contribute to Connectivity

Several smaller stations on the Bengaluru–Mangaluru route also contributed to the overall passenger figures.

Kaniyur recorded approximately 31,700 passengers, while Kodimbala registered around 26,600 passengers during the period. Edamangala, Bajakare, Neralakatte and Narimogaru were among the other stations serving passengers along the section.

Although their individual passenger numbers were lower than those of the major stations, these stops remain important for people travelling from rural areas and smaller settlements.

The railway line provides a transport link between communities in the hinterland and larger urban centres, supporting everyday travel as well as journeys for work, education and religious visits.

Reserved and Unreserved Travel Across Nine Stations

The passenger figures also show substantial use of both reserved and unreserved railway services.

Of the approximately 16.38 lakh passengers recorded across the nine stations, around 10.51 lakh travelled using unreserved tickets, while approximately 5.87 lakh travelled with reserved tickets.

In addition, more than 1.06 lakh platform tickets were sold during the 20-month period.

The figures indicate the role of the railway section in serving different categories of passengers, from those undertaking short journeys to travellers making longer trips. The high number of unreserved passengers also demonstrates the importance of accessible rail services for regional mobility.

Railway Connectivity Remains Important for the Region

The ₹31.31 crore revenue recorded between January 2025 and August 2026 highlights the contribution of the Mangaluru–Subrahmanya Road railway section to passenger transport in Dakshina Kannada district.

Subrahmanya Road station’s leading share reflects its importance for pilgrimage travel, while Kabaka Puttur and Bantwal continue to serve substantial numbers of passengers. Smaller stations also provide essential connectivity to rural communities along the route.

With approximately 16.38 lakh passengers travelling through the nine stations during the period, the section remains an important part of the region’s railway network, connecting coastal Karnataka with towns, villages and major religious destinations.