TNN 

Mangalore, Sep 19: The West Coast Rail Yatri Development Committee, a forum formed for development of railway services in the coastal districts, has urged  the Union railway ministry to increase the run of Yeshwantpur-Mangalore Express to Karwar four days a week. The train has been extended to run up to Kannur.

In a letter to railway minister Mamata Banerjee, the committee president R L Dias said the route extension up to Karwar would help commuters residing in the areas between Mangalore and Karwar in getting an easy, affordable, and comfortable access to Bangalore.

He said to ensure that Mangalore quota does not get affected, the train should be run to Kannur on three days and Karwar for four days with separate train numbers. He cited the example of Madgoan-Mangalore Janshatabdhi, which was running on such an arrangement in the past, after it reached Madgoan from Mumbai. The train service was stopped due to passengers not patronizing it.

These trains should sport different numbers when they are on different routes. "Yeswantpur-Mangalore train (No 6515), which operates for three days a week should run on a daily basis and it should be extended up to Karwar with separate train number," Dias said.

Opposing extension of Yeswantpur-Mangalore night train up to Kannur on all days, he said it would prove difficult for people boarding from Mangalore. "The committee would organize a comprehensive campaign to oppose the proposal," he said, and appealed to the people to launch a postcard campaign, addressing their letters to Mamata Banerjee, Rail Bhavan, New Delhi-110 011.