Mangaluru: In a bid to manage the heavy post-festival travel rush, the South Western Railway (SWR) has announced a special train service from Madgaon to Bengaluru via the coastal belt, including Mangaluru.

The move comes as thousands of passengers who travelled to their hometowns for Ugadi and Ramzan are now returning to the state capital, leading to an acute shortage of train seats on regular services.

Public demand prompts special arrangement

The announcement was shared by Kota Srinivas Poojary, Member of Parliament from Udupi–Chikkamagaluru, who noted that the special train was introduced in response to strong public demand.

Passengers travelling from coastal districts such as Udupi and Dakshina Kannada had been facing difficulties securing confirmed tickets due to the surge in travel following the festive holidays. The additional service is expected to significantly ease congestion and provide a convenient travel option.

Route and detailed schedule

The special train will operate on March 22, departing from Madgaon at 11:00 am and travelling along the scenic Konkan and coastal Karnataka route before heading towards Bengaluru.

The scheduled halts and arrival timings are as follows:

  • Karwar – 11:28 am
  • Gokarna – 12:30 pm
  • Murdeshwar – 1:40 pm
  • Byndoor – 2:12 pm
  • Kundapur – 2:40 pm
  • Barkur – 2:55 pm
  • Udupi – 3:30 pm
  • Mulki – 3:58 pm
  • Surathkal – 4:14 pm
  • Bantwal – 6:00 pm
  • Kabaka Puttur – 6:28 pm
  • Subrahmanya Road – 7:50 pm

The train is expected to reach Bengaluru Cantonment railway station at around 5:00 am the following day, offering overnight connectivity for passengers.

High demand expected

Railway authorities anticipate a strong response to this special service, based on previous experience. A similar train operated during the Ugadi period saw more than 700 seats booked despite a mid-day departure, reflecting the urgent need for additional capacity.

With many offices reopening after the festive break, a large number of commuters are expected to travel back to Bengaluru to resume work, further increasing demand.

Additional MEMU service for local commuters

To further support passenger movement, SWR has also arranged a special MEMU (Mainline Electric Multiple Unit) service on March 22. This train will run from Tumakuru to Banaswadi via Yeshwantpur, catering primarily to short-distance and suburban commuters.

The addition of this MEMU service is aimed at reducing crowding on regular suburban routes and ensuring smoother connectivity within the Bengaluru region.

Conclusion

The introduction of the special train from Madgaon to Bengaluru highlights the proactive measures taken by South Western Railway to address seasonal travel demand. By enhancing connectivity along the coastal route and providing additional capacity, the railway aims to ensure a comfortable and hassle-free journey for passengers returning after the festive season.