The new passenger train announced in the Railway Budget 2014-15 between Kasaragod and Byndoor (56665/56666) would be launched before the end of this month.
A top official in the Southern Railway headquarters told The Hindu that the Railways’ effort is to operationalise trains announced in this budget before the next one is presented. The Railway Budget 2015-16 is slated for February 26.
The officer said coaches for the new train are also getting ready. It will have 16 coaches in all — 14 second class sitting coaches and two luggage-cum-brake vans.
The train leaves Kasaragod at 6.40 a.m., reaches Mangaluru Junction at 8.05 a.m. and reaches Mookambika Road Byndoor at 11.50 a.m. In the return direction, the train leaves Byndoor at 1.05 p.m., reaches Mangaluru Junction at 4.50 p.m. to reach Kasaragod at 6.10 p.m. It will stop at Kumbla, Uppala, Manjeshwar, Ulla, Mangalore Junction, Thokur, Surathkal, Nandikoor, Padubidri, Innanje, Udupi, Barkur, Kundapura, Senapura and Bijoor.
Not via Central
The passenger train would not run via Mangaluru Central as demanded by the public and Paschima Karavali Rail Yatri Abhivriddhi Samiti, the officer said. The intention behind the introduction of the train is to provide a direct service between Kasaragod and Byndoor.
If the train is routed via Mangaluru Central, it would inconvenience the direct passengers, he said. Moreover, Mangaluru Junction is not far away from the city and those interested can make use of the facility, he added.
Samithi Convener Anil Hegde had said if Mangaluru Central is left out of the service, it would defeat the very purpose of the new train. Mangaluru city has been the centre for trade and education, both for Kasaragod and Udupi regions and if the train skirts the Central station, passengers would have to use Mangaluru Junction, located away from the National Highway, he pointed out.
Passengers would have spend more than 10 times of the train fare to avail autorickshaw services at Mangaluru Junction, Mr. Hegde pointed out.