Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, May 5: The south western railway has, through an official order issued on Wednesday May 3, named the city-Yeshwantpura inter-city express train that was recently introduced between the city and Bengaluru, as 'Gomateshwara Express'. As a result, the train, which was known with the name 'Kudla Express' so far, has got its official name, 'Gomateshwara Express'.

This train bearing No. 16575/16576, runs between Yeshwantpura and city junction station thrice every week. In view of the fact that this train touches famous pilgrimage centre of Jains, Shravana Belagola, and also because Mahamastakabhisheka is due to be performed to the statue of Gomateshwara alias Bahubali next year, the department has chosen to christen this train as Gomateshwara Express.

It may be recalled that when Bengaluru-Hassan train was flagged off during March on its first run, former Prime Minister, H D Deve Gowda, had requested the railway minister to name the train between Bengaluru and Mangaluru after Gomateshwara, a reverred figure for Jains. The minister had immediately agreed to the suggestion and promised to meet this request on the spot.

When he was railway minister, D V Sadananda Gowda had announced the introduction of 'Kudla Express' train when presenting railway budget in the year 2014. However, the railway department had not given any name to this train so far, although it was known among the people of the coast by the name, 'Kudla Express'.