New expectation for train connections for Karavali

• ‘Vande Bharat’ high-speed train from Mangaluru

Mangaluru: Right behind the beginning of the much demanded Mangaluru-Yeshwanthpur night train, a new gift comes from the railway department in the form of three proposals for ‘Vande Bharat’ high-speed train to Mangaluru. This has created an expectation of further strengthening the train connection to the Karavali region with a history of a hundred years in train service.

The Central Railway minister Piyush Goyal announced in Bengaluru on Friday that ‘Vande Bharat’ trains will be started from Mangaluru, including the Mangaluru-Bengaluru, Mangaluru-Chennai and Mangaluru-Hyderabad high-speed trains. If this is realized, then the problem of the long journey to reach these areas will become manageable for the people form Mangaluru and from the state’s Karavali regions. Besides, it may also provide additional encouragement to the region’s commercial, tourism and financial activities.

The Bengaluru-Karwar/Kannur-Bengaluru night train travel via Mysuru with a total distance of 447 kms. If traveled via Kunigal- Shravanabelagola, the distance comes down to 357 kms. Currently, it takes 10-12 hrs to travel to Bengaluru. In this, there is a delay of 3 hrs since the train has to pass slowly through the Ghat section between Subrahmanya and Sakleshpur. Even though ‘Vande Bharat’ has a travel speed of 168 km, along the ghat section, it is compelled to travel at the speed of 35 kms. But, it being analysed that the train can make speed through the other regions and complete the journey to Bengaluru in 7-8 hrs.

At the same time, due to the ghat section and track problem between Mangaluru-Bengaluru, the train may travel via Kerala route. Through this route, the distance to Bengaluru will go up to 834 kms requiring 17 hrs of travelling. If the train travels through this route, it won’t be beneficial for the passengers from Mangaluru region.

The distance between Mangaluru and Hyderabad is 1,532 kms when travelled via train and takes around 27.40 hours to reach the destination. If the ‘Vande Bharat’ train is started, then the travel time may be reduced to 15-20 hrs. In the same way, the distance between Mangaluru and Chennai via train is 889 kms with a travel time of 15.32 hrs. Through ‘Vande Bharat’ train, Chennai will be accessible within a travel period of 8-10 hrs.

A direct contact is required for North Karnataka

A demand for a train to Kalburgi from Mangaluru has been expressed by MP Pralhad Joshi and the passengers from the Karavali. There is also a suggestion to run the train from Kalburgi via Wadi-Yadgir-Raichur-Guntakal, Bellary, Chikmagalur-Beerura, Kadur, Arasikere, Hassan-Sakleshpur-Subramanya Road, Puttur and Bantwal to Mangaluru. If the department examines this and if it is implemented by the government then the train connection from Mangaluru will be expanded to north Karnataka.

Unfulfilled demands

The railway department has not yet responded to Karavali peoples demand for resuming the “Mahalaxmi Express train” train from Mangaluru to Miraj which was functioning in 1990. In 1994 when there was meter gauge between Mangaluru and Hassan, the Mahalaxmi express train was travelling to Mangaluru via Sakleshpur, Arsikere, Hubli, Dharwad and Belagavi route. If the train is resumed between Mangaluru and Miraj, there will be a direct connection to Hubli, Dharwad, Belgavi, Snagli and Miraj. Also a train network will created between Mangaluru-Dharwad. The travel time between Mangaluru and Miraj will be around 14 hours then.

Benefit for the district

“By starting the ‘Vande Bharat’ train from Mangaluru, it will be beneficial for the people from the district. But it is unclear, through which route will the Mangaluru-Bengaluru ‘Vande Bharat’ train shall travel. If it travels through Kerala, then it won’t be beneficial for the district,” said Anil Hegde, Technical Advisor, West Coast Railway Passenger Development Association

Special Report