As the bi-weekly Antyodaya Express, which links Thiruvananthapuram with Mangaluru, is set to commence its maiden journey on Saturday, many have come out in protests against the lack of stoppages for the train in Kasaragod and other major stations.
The train will be flagged off by Minister of State for Railways Rajen Gohain at the Kochuveli railway station at 10.30 a.m. on Saturday.
The Railways’ release said that the Kochuveli-Mangaluru Junction Express, which will have 17 unreserved bogies, will commence its regular service from Kochuveli at 9.25 p.m. on Thursdays and Saturdays to reach Mangaluru Junction at 9.15 a.m. the next day. In its return direction, the train would leave Mangaluru Junction at 8 p.m. on Fridays and Sundays to reach Kochuveli at 8.15 a.m. on Saturdays and Mondays.
The train, running via Alappuzha, has been provided just seven stoppages — Kannur, Kozhikode, Shoranur, Thrissur, Ernakulam Junction, and Kollam during its journey to Thiruvananthapuram on both ways.
Kasaragod Railway Passengers Association general secretary R. Prashanthkumar expressed resentment at the move not to provide stoppages for the train at Kasaragod.
“Railways’ decision not to allot stoppages to quite a few trains in the district headquarter town has given the impression that Kasaragod is not a part of Kerala,” Mr. Prashanthkumar said.
“The long-awaited train has not been provided stoppages at important stations such as Tirur, Alappuzha, and Kayamkulam Junction too. The train takes around 12 hours to reach its destinations despite being provided with just seven stoppages. The Thiruvananthapuram-Mangaluru Maveli Express with 30 stops reaches its destination in just 12 hours and 35 minutes,” Mr. Prashanthkumar said.
