News and Pics From Rons Bantwal
Daijiworld Media Network—Mumbai (RD/CN)

Mumbai, Aug 19: A delegation of  the Udupi train commuters' association, led by president R L Dias, and secretary John Rebello, along with other office-bearers, met Konkan Railway (KR) Corporation chairman Anurag Mishra, and presented a memorandum with 18 demands.

B P Tayal, director, Konkan Railway, and M N Talang, deputy chief executive officer, were also present. The delegation held discussions about their demands with Mishra for about two hours.

The delegation demanded early resumption of the Jana Shatabdi express which passes through Udupi. Mishra, informed that there were no plans to resume the services of the express train since it was run on an experimental basis for almost three months without earning any significant revenue.

The delegation demanded that one of three general compartments of the 18 compartments in the Matsyaganda Kurla–Mangalore passenger train, be marked sleeper class since  it would   accommodate 72 passengers and also bring additional revenue to the railways. Mishra said that this would be implemented.

The delegation also demanded starting of train services from Mumbai Central to Mangalore, via Vasai Road, since it’s difficult for the commuters residing in the western suburbs from Mahim to Virar, to arrive at Kurla to board the train to Mangalore. Mishra sought the assistance of Mangalore MP in realizing this.

The delegation also discussed several other issues related to commuting members of  undivided Dakshina Kannada district, and were given assurances by Mishra.