Daijiworld Media Network - Puttur (SP)

Puttur, Mar 23: Referring to the news items appearing in some dailies that representatives of several Kerala-based railway passengers associations have been demanding for the extension of the Mangalore-Bangalore Express train till Kannur, Railway Yatri Sangha has vehemently opposed this demand, by citing several reasons for its stand.

The Sangha has pointed out that the above train service materialized after a protracted struggle, and came as a boon to frequent travelers of the region. Extension of the train to Kerala would deprive the people in the region, of their rightful quota. Further, they will also lose the Tatkal quota, as the destination for Tatkal scheme would be from the starting point to the destination of the train, it has said.

The train is already running to its full capacity with long waiting lists and extending it does not make sense. Addition of compartments to the train which presently has 17 compartments is not feasible because of sharp curves and gradient of the Western Ghats, the Sangha has pointed out. How can the train, which is unable to meet the demands of the local people, cater to the passengers of Kerala state, it has wondered.

The Sangha says, a train is already running between Yeshwantpur and Kannur via Salem and Coimbatore (No.6527/28). If at all the need be, the Sangha has suggested to divert this train via Mangalore and Hassan. Even extending the train up to Tiruvanantapuram can be thought of, it says.

The Sangha, through a press release, has stated that the people of the region will protest vehemently, if the railways take steps to extend the train to Cannanore.