Daijiworld Media Network - Puttur
Puttur, Feb 26: A significant milestone has been achieved in the history of railway passenger struggles in Dakshina Kannada district. After an 18-year-long battle, the demand to extend the Mangaluru Central-Kabaka Puttur passenger train to Subrahmanya Road Station has finally been approved by the Indian Railway Board.
The Southern Railway, headquartered in Chennai, and the South Western Railway, headquartered in Hubballi, had earlier recommended the extension in a proposal sent to the Railway Board on November 25, 2024. On Tuesday, the Railway Board’s Joint Director (Coaching), Vivek Kumar Sinha, issued an order granting permission for the extension.
Representational image
Revised schedule
According to the Railway Board’s order, the Mangaluru Central-Kabaka Puttur-Subrahmanya Road Passenger Train will depart from Mangaluru Central Station at 4 am and reach Subrahmanya Road Station by 6:30 am. The train will then depart from Subrahmanya Road at 7 am and return to Mangaluru Central by 9:30 am.
In the evening, the train will depart from Mangaluru Central at 5:45 pm and reach Subrahmanya Road Station by 8:10 pm. It will then depart from Subrahmanya Road at 8:40 pm and return to Mangaluru Central by 11:10 pm. Initially, there was a demand for the train to halt overnight at Subrahmanya Road Station, but due to technical constraints, this request was dropped.
Passengers rejoice
Passengers and railway activists have expressed their joy over the fulfillment of this long-standing demand. The extension will not only benefit pilgrims traveling to Kukke Subrahmanya but also provide affordable daily travel options for residents of Subrahmanya, Edamangala, Kaniyur, Sarve, and surrounding areas to Mangaluru.
Efforts of leaders
MP Nalin Kumar Kateel played a crucial role in advocating for this extension, raising the issue in the Lok Sabha during the first parliamentary session and drawing the attention of the railway minister. Later, MP Brijesh Chowta continued the efforts, personally meeting the Railway Board Chairman to expedite the process.
Brijesh Chowta stated, “The extension of the Mangaluru-Kabaka Puttur Passenger Train to Subrahmanya Road Station and the release of the revised schedule is a collective victory for all of us. This will greatly benefit devotees traveling to Kukke Subrahmanya, our spiritual hub.”
Railway activist Hanumanth Kamath expressed gratitude to MPs Nalin Kumar Kateel and Brijesh Chowta for their relentless efforts in liaising with the Railway Ministry and ensuring the demand was met.