Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (MS)

Mangaluru, Jan 2: Despite the construction of additional platforms at Mangaluru Central railway station, the Southern Railway authorities have turned down the demand for extending crucial trains from Mangaluru Junction railway station to Mangaluru Central.

Various passenger organizations and the public have been advocating for the extension of Mumbai CSMT-Mangaluru Junction Superfast, Yeshwantpur-Mangaluru Junction tri-weekly express, Gomateshwara weekly express, and Vijayapura-Mangaluru Junction express trains to Mangaluru Central. The construction of the fourth and fifth platforms at Mangaluru Central was undertaken to accommodate this demand. However, the Southern Railway has rejected the proposal, citing a shortage of platforms and vacant tracks.

Responding to an appeal by MP Nalin Kumar Kateel, Southern Railway manager R N Singh stated that the extension was not feasible due to the shortage of platforms and available tracks. Singh added, 'Gomateshwara Express and Yeshwantpur-Mangaluru Junction Express trains arrive at 4.40 pm at Mangaluru Junction. If extended to Mangaluru Central, it would create more pressure, leading to issues with arrivals, departures, crossings, and platform shortages. As for Vijayapura Express and CST Superfast trains, with only two hours and 55 minutes of halting time at Mangaluru Junction, it is not possible to extend them with such a short halting time.