Mangalore: Rain Plays Havoc – Schedule of Konkan Trains Goes for Toss

Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (SP)

Mangalore, Jun 18: The movement of Matsyagandha Express train shuttling between Lokamanya Tilak and Mangalore Central (12620/12619) as well as Mangalore Junction – CST Mumbai special train (02134) was cancelled on Friday June 18, as protective wall caved in on the railway tracks between Nivsar and Ratnagiri railway stations in Maharashtra. Because of rain, trains on this line were running behind schedule.

Seven other trains have been diverted on alternative lines. The passengers of two trains were carried by bus between Ratnagiri and Adavali railway stations, to facilitate them to resume their onward journey.  Passengers of Veravel – Thiruvananthapuram Express (16333) were transported in buses from Advali to Ratnagiri. They were allowed to take up their further journey through Ernakulam – Nizamuddin Mangala Express (12617). The passengers of Netravati Express train (16346) were sent to their destinations through Lokamanya Tilak Netravati – Thiruvananthapuram Express (16345) train.

The train No. 12202 (Garib Rath) moving between Kochhuveli  and Lokamanya Tilak Terminal at Mumbai, Thiruvananthapuram-Nizamuddin Rajdhani Exress (12431), Nizamuddin – Ernakulam Mangala Express (12618), and Ernakulam – Pune express were diverted through Madgaon, Londa, and Miraj.

The Kocchuveli-Dehradun Express (12287) and Kocchuveli – Chandigarh Express trains have been diverted through Shoranur, Erode, Jolarpettai, Bangalore City and New Delhi.

Railway sources said that trains, passengers of which were carried by buses between two stations as above, have been running about ten hours behind schedule. In the case of passengers who had booked their tickets on Mumbai route from Mangalore, their money was refunded. Special counters had been opened for this purpose at both the railway stations in the city. It is learnt that about 700 passengers had booked their tickets to travel by Matsyagandha Express from Mangalore Central station on Friday.

Even though the railway officials requested Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) to run additional buses to Mumbai to accommodate passengers who could not travel by trains, KSRTC officials said they did not find the need to do so as there was no additional rush of passengers. However, it is gathered that the passengers who had no other go but to reach Mumbai in time, had to shell out exorbitant cost to reach their destinations through private buses and other modes of transport.

The trains on the route are expected to move normally on Konkan Railway line with effect from today.