Mumbai-Udupi-Mangaluru commuters demand upgradation of Matsyagandha Express


Justin D’Silva

Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi

Udupi, Jun 22: Regular commuters of the Matsyagandha Express, a vital lifeline connecting Mumbai with the coastal regions of Udupi and Mangaluru, have raised their voices for a much-needed upgradation of the train and its facilities. Despite its 25 years of service, the train remains outdated, with numerous complaints about its deteriorating condition.

The Matsyagandha Express, a crucial mode of transportation for thousands, has not seen significant upgrades since its inception. The passengers, who rely heavily on this service, have been increasingly frustrated with the poor state of the train. The existing Integral Coach Factory (ICF) coaches are seen as outdated and uncomfortable, prompting a strong demand for the introduction of modern Like Hofmann Busch (LHB) coaches, known for their enhanced safety and comfort.

In response to the growing dissatisfaction, commuters have initiated a social media campaign, drawing attention to their plight and urging railway authorities to take immediate action. The campaign has gained significant traction, catching the attention of railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC).

Dhiraj Shetty Mijar, social media influencer and one of the first person to bring the issue to social media campaign in an Instagram post said "Dear Ashwini Vaishnaw ji. Please do not deny us the basic rights of journey comfort. My people have been literally begging for this upgrade for several years. The toilets are horrible, the seats are torn, it makes double the sound of LHB coaches. There are lakhs of commuters travelling on this route in a month & you need to fulfil this basic right. No problem if you and your team in IRCTC do not respond to this message, but our faith will be restored in governance if you all take action the same at the earliest. Travel fare hike has been substantial in recent times, but we cannot see the desired changes."

The introduction of LHB coaches is seen as a vital step towards improving the travel experience. LHB coaches are designed with advanced technology that offers better safety features, reduced noise levels, and enhanced riding comfort. These coaches are also equipped with modern amenities, including improved toilet facilities, which are a significant upgrade from the current ICF coaches. Indian railways is planning to move fully to LHB coaches by 2030.

Speaking to daijiworld.com, Kevin John Pinto, a Mumbai-based another frequent traveller on the train said, "I recently did a nostalgia trip and purposely booked the sleeper coach of Matsyagandha express and the coaches are in very bad condition. In certain sections where it did 100 kmph there was extreme rattling and sideways swinging in the coaches. It feels like it's on the edge about to break. For a 25-year-old iconic train of Konkan railways, this is really disgraceful. As a part of the new garib rath updates, even Lokmanya Tilak Terminus to Kochuveli garib rath gets updated to new 3AC economy but both Mangaluru Express and Matsyagandha are just given the same 20-year-old coaches of ICF. We introduced Vande Bharat in Mangaluru-Madgaon route with less than 40% occupancy and the daily high speed runner Mangaluru Express has been delayed daily for the past 6 months. Why is the Mangaluru section so underrated and ignored?"

Travellers are urging the railway authorities to prioritize this upgrade. They highlight that the improvement of the Matsyagandha Express will not only enhance the travel experience but also boost the connectivity and economic development of the coastal regions. Many frequent travellers of the region have supported the movement and have also urged for the merging of the Konkan railway to Indian railways.


 

 

  

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Comment on this article

  • Ananth. Bhat, Mangalore

    Wed, Jun 26 2024

    I feel Railway authorities have all details of coaches built and put on service on this sector. Since 25 years have already passed that Matsyagandha is running and also followed by Mangalore Express, it needs immediate replacement with new coaches for both these trains. After all we are paying same fare as other trains, then why such substandard and outdated coaches still in service on this route. Since Railway officials are giving wrong picture to the Minister, request Railway minister to travel on these trains and ensure himself the reality and urgent need.

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • Honnappa, Byadagi

    Mon, Jun 24 2024

    Mr. George Fernandes ,native of Mangaluru was responsible for setting Konkan Railway Project. Even though he never fought elections from his native place, He made stellar contribution to Karavali people which will be remembered by generations to come.

    DisAgree Agree [6] Reply Report Abuse

  • Flora Dsouza, Kalmady/Jerimeri-Mumbai

    Mon, Jun 24 2024

    Each & every word of this news is 100% correct. Konkan Railways should take immediate step to look into this matter seriously and improve.

    DisAgree Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse

  • Nawaz, Udupi

    Mon, Jun 24 2024

    Main issue of konkon railway are * single track since 25-30 year even tho it connect 3 major ports. * Local MPs of coastal karnataka are totally useless, because they never struggle to improve and causes to delay of train journey.

    DisAgree Agree [4] Reply Report Abuse

  • samantaray, karnataka

    Mon, Jun 24 2024

    wrt Joseph, Bombay comment All these third rated rakes are from the old defunct trains of the Central and Western Railways under the Bombay jurisdiction sold out to Konkan Railway. These coaches after one trip will run to trivandrum once it reaches MAQ. and they belong to SR division. this process goes on daily. Anyhow MATSYAGANDHA now is sick rake. therefore whole rake has to be replaced with LHB one.

    DisAgree Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse

  • Karthiyayani Nambiar, Manipal

    Sun, Jun 23 2024

    Yes some trains in Konkan railway are too old and needs a repair and needs good compartments Many are travelling to Mumbai from coastal area many a times We need to look into this matter urgently

    DisAgree Agree [4] Reply Report Abuse

  • Prakashchandra Jain, Moodbidri

    Sun, Jun 23 2024

    Having opposed it initially by a particular religion, it deserves a rattling vintage train.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [1] Reply Report Abuse

  • Joseph, Bombay

    Sun, Jun 23 2024

    First change the name from Konkan Railway to Indian Railways. Too much of names is making things complicated. Konkan Railway is getting a step motherly treatment and too much of prominence is given for this premium Vande Bharat (God knows why) to run on schedule as if no other trains are permitted to operate. Seems there's a competition. All these third rated rakes are from the old defunct trains of the Central and Western Railways under the Bombay jurisdiction sold out to Konkan Railway. If such degraded coaches were on the Kerala section, I am sure all hell would break loose and there would be a rail roko agitation to voice their demands. But our Ministry and the erstwhile MP's and MLA's always developed a soft corner to certain states and cared a damn for Karnataka as if it's loss making. Atleast now there should be rapid changes.

    DisAgree [8] Agree [8] Reply Report Abuse

  • Sandy, Udupi

    Sun, Jun 23 2024

    Railway officials of all zones seem to have a severe allergy to South Canara area. And our MPs and MLAs are most useless. Yet we vote for the same uselsess BJP

    DisAgree [5] Agree [19] Reply Report Abuse

  • Sanjay, Mangalore

    Sun, Jun 23 2024

    If BJP wins in our state,then they will never do anything for the people of Karnataka,they will only develop north Indian states and Gujarat. People of Udupi and Mangalore will have to use the same old train till the train is fully inoperable and filthy. See Kerela, they have got many new trains ,it's because they did not voted for BJP.

    DisAgree [7] Agree [15] Reply Report Abuse

  • CHARLES SALDANHA, Malad -Malwani

    Sun, Jun 23 2024

    I congratulate Mr Shetty for highlighting the issue.Thousands of people travel by this train and must have experienced the inconvenience,felt the anger but preferred to keep the anger with themselves blaming the authorities for a while and once alighted forgot the issue till next journey.Hope Shetty's voice will reach till the Railway Ministry and we will get the results.Once again Congratulations Shetty Sir.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [12] Reply Report Abuse

  • Haneef, Mangalore

    Sun, Jun 23 2024

    Mr George Fernandes strived for Konkani railway and since 30 years bjpee mps shuttling parliament without any developments to coastal Karnataka other than hatred and murders. They don’t have any significant achievements.

    DisAgree [11] Agree [28] Reply Report Abuse

  • RonRon, udupi

    Sun, Jun 23 2024

    Mangalore and Udupi people , you deserve this

    DisAgree [5] Agree [24] Reply Report Abuse

  • Dylan, Mangalore

    Sun, Jun 23 2024

    You find a lot of rodents in this train once passengers open their home cooked dinner tiffins. Except in the general compartments because there is no place for rodents to move, since it is always packed.. Menace of rodents is not of late in this train even a decade ago.

    DisAgree [3] Agree [10] Reply Report Abuse

  • M.Mathias, Mangalore

    Sun, Jun 23 2024

    Don't expect anything from BJP leaders expect corruption. Just vote BJP & forget development.

    DisAgree [13] Agree [21] Reply Report Abuse

  • Dylan, Mangalore

    Sun, Jun 23 2024

    You find a lot of rodents in this train once passengers open their home cooked dinner tiffins. Except in the general compartments because there is no place for rodents to move, since it is always packed.. Menace of rodents is not of late in this train even a decade ago.

    DisAgree [3] Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse

  • Sense_shetty, Kudla

    Sun, Jun 23 2024

    Bhakts will be very satisfied to travel in these trains and will be even grateful to Modi and Railway ministers' incompetence in these matters. They will even show the pic of Vande bharath express and ask commuters to travel in these costly trains. Anyone else offering constructive criticism might be labeled as anti-national and might be raided by ED or CBI.

    DisAgree [19] Agree [28] Reply Report Abuse

  • k b r, Mangala Uru

    Sun, Jun 23 2024

    most trains going upwards from Mengalaaburam station are nothing but gateways to ind0-somli people to enter in to north indian states .... travel once in general unreserved compartments from mlr to madgaon, you will know the demography going back and forth Gods knows for what ...

    DisAgree [5] Agree [13] Reply Report Abuse

  • Jd, Mlr

    Sun, Jun 23 2024

    We are denied upgrade because we are monkeys. For few religious based channas, we vote them back. Don't complain

    DisAgree [14] Agree [23] Reply Report Abuse

  • Jossey Saldanha, Raheja Waterfront

    Sun, Jun 23 2024

    RIP Matsyagandha ...

    DisAgree [10] Agree [16] Reply Report Abuse

  • HENRY MISQUITH, INDIA

    Sat, Jun 22 2024

    Absolutely right, this upgrade will take 10-15 years. So many dirty toilets, garbage under passenger seats, torn seats with bed bugs dancing around. Sometimes cockroaches and other things are found in the food. No one understands the pain of passengers. Not everyone can afford to fly, but middle-class people need a cleaner and upgraded train. Not just Matsyagandha, many trains are in the same condition. Not worth for travelling 😊

    DisAgree [5] Agree [51] Reply Report Abuse


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Title: Mumbai-Udupi-Mangaluru commuters demand upgradation of Matsyagandha Express



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