Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Oct 5: The direct Mangaluru-Bengaluru train via Kunigal had been launched a month ago after the lockdown was lifted. The department has cited loss due to lack of passengers and has decided to temporarily cancel the train. With this, the citizens from coastal Karnataka will be deprived of the direct train link to the state's capital.

The train serves passengers from the city, Puttur, Subrahmanya etc. The people are wary of moving out because of the coronavirus fears. The train was slowly gaining popularity when the department decided to suspend the train, which has met with resistance of the commuters. The other train moves via Mysuru three days on a week, but it takes longer to reach Bengaluru.

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The cancelled train had an average of over 200 passengers daily and during the weekend, sometimes there were waiting lists. During the coming festival season, there was possibility of the train getting more passengers.

Because of coronavirus, passengers are not moving out in large numbers. The air-conditioned coach of the train has not been popular because of coronavirus fears. For this train, tickets are not sold at the railway stations, and online ticket booking has been mandatory even for general coach. Therefore, those who want to travel at the last minute face problems. Even though the Karwar-Bengaluru express train is functional, it has stops only at Suratkal and B C Road.

With the suspension of the above train, the Bengaluru-Mangaluru train No. 06517 will start moving on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays beginning from October 7 instead of Sundays, Mondays, and Tuesdays.