Udupi: In a major victory for railway passengers along the coast, the Mangaluru–Madgaon Express has officially begun stopping at Padubidri railway station in Paniyoor.
The first halt was met with celebration from local residents and activists who had long advocated for it. The train was greeted in a ceremonial manner, led by Deviprasad Shetty Belapu, president of the Railway Halt Struggle Committee. The train drivers arriving from Goa were honored with shawls in recognition of the occasion.
Speaking at the event, Deviprasad Shetty shared heartfelt thanks and said, “We’ve pushed for this halt for many years, along with demands for stops on trains bound for Mumbai and Bengaluru. Today marks a milestone in our efforts.” He also acknowledged the critical support of MLA Gurme Suresh Shetty, MP Kota Srinivas Poojary, and union minister of state for railways V Somanna in making the halt a reality.
Infrastructural upgrades are also underway at the station. A concrete approach road worth ₹15 lakh has already been constructed as part of the Adani Group’s CSR contributions, coordinated with the Grama Panchayat. Another ₹20 lakh CSR grant is expected for additional improvements, including plans to install solar-powered streetlights for better amenities.
The event saw participation from struggle committee member Rakesh Kunjur, station master Shankaran, staff members Sujith, Adesh Hegde, Lalitha, Shanta, and numerous local auto drivers, all welcoming the development with enthusiasm.