Train service to Vijayapura – Mangalore Revision of Timings sought

Mangalore:  Because of covid 19 train route between Mangalore to Vijayapura (Hospet) was stopped  now it is  preparing for the start of service. But it has been heard from sources that passengers are urging to Railway department  to change journey times  when service is restarted.

In November 2019, the Vijayapur-Mangalore Junction train was launched. Shortly after the start of the train journey, train received an unprecedented response. The train was suspended for four months due to lockdown. Now that the train is ready to begin, commuters are looking forward to the start of the train.

The most demanding route: Vijayapura-Mangalore Railway The train was connecting Mangalore via Subramanya via Bagalkot-Gadag-Haveri-Badagi-Harihara-Davangere-Hassan-Sakleshpur-Kukke.

The railway service was a boom for the pilgrims coming to temples like Kukke, Dharmasthala, Kollur, Kateelu and for  many thousands of poor people working on the coastal districts and the patients to get medical treatment in Mangalore and Manipal areas. But without the train, the north-south link is now cut off.

Demand for time changes: The early connectivity of Vijayapur-Mangalore train was inconvenient for many passengers. The railway authorities have been requested to change the timing of the trains when the train resumes.

Vijayapura Railway Action Committee and a railway activist from Mangaluru have urged the South Western Railway (SWR) to revise Mangaluru-Vijayapura train timings. Rail users have appreciated the SWRs move to reintroduce the train service between Vijayapura and Mangaluru via Arsikere-Hassan.

If the train starts from Vijayapur at 12.45 pm it will benefit many passengers. Committee has demanded that a new time be set for Subramanya at around 7.15 am and Mangalore from 8.30 am to 9 pm. If the train arrives to Mangalore faster, it will greatly benefit the hospitalized patients, pilgrims and pilgrims visiting religious centers. Similarly, if  train leave Mangalore at 4 pm instead of 5.30 or 6 pm, it is more convenient for commuters. Railway fighter G.K. Bhatt said.

Demand to expand to Central: Vijayapura-Mangalore train route only Confined to the Mangalore junction. But the demand for it to be extended to Central Mangalore  is growing . An appeal has also been made to extend the train to Mangalore Central if the train is resumed.

“There is information that the Vijayapura-Mangalore railway line is getting ready. But if time changes and the train starts, more passengers will benefit. If the train starts from Vijayapur at 12 noon, it will greatly benefit patients and mercenaries who come to Mangalore from North Karnataka. Railway authorities should pay special attention to this, ”said Railway fighter Anil Hegde.

The rail users want the above trains to reach before 6pm and hence start the train service from Mangaluru junction at 8.15am. They have also requested revision of train timings of its pairing train in the opposite direction so that the train resumes service from Yesvanthpur at 9.30am instead of present 7am. Bhat said that the arrival timing at Yesvanthpur is not convenient, especially for elderly citizens and other passengers who have to travel further.