Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Feb 20: All the sectors are slowly getting relieved of the situation created by the coronavirus pandemic. But the trains moving between Bengaluru and Mangaluru wait in between for crossing for long before resuming journey.

Both when going to Bengaluru and returning, during the crossing, the trains wait for long for the smooth movement of Karwar train. This has resulted in the discontentment among the people's representatives and railway activists from Mangaluru. MP, Nalin Kumar Kateel, who has noted that this has divided the railway activists working for the rights into two sections, one from Mangaluru and the other from Kundapur. Kateel has urged the southwestern railway general manager to check whether the previous time table can be followed.

Representational image

After the lockdown was lifted, Mangaluru - Mysuru - Bengaluru special (16517) train runs from Mangaluru central station. It leaves at 8.10 pm and reaches Bengaluru at 8.45 am. During every journey, the train stops at Yadakumeri station in the ghats for1.10 hours to make room for the movement of Karwar train. This creates problems for the passengers from Mangaluru. The Bengaluru-Shravanabelagola train as per the revised timing, leaves Bengaluru at 8.30 on and moves via Shravanabelagola all seven days of the week. The train waits for 80 minutes at Kadagaravalli to allow the Karwar train to move.

Activists from Mangaluru division want the crossing to be restored to Siribagilu as in the past. While they agree that the Mangaluru train can be withheld for 1.10 hour on one side, in the reverse direction, Karwar train should be withheld alternatively. But this suggestion has objections from several people.

The problem arises by the fact that there is no facility for general crossing for trains in both Yadakumeri and Kadagaravalli stations. Proposal to create a crossing facility had been sent to the railway board before the Bengaluru train started moving but because of safety aspects it was not allowed. Even after electronic signal systems came into being at Yadakumeri, this crossing was not allowed.

Hanumantha Kamath, Palakkad division railway consumers’ advisory committee, suggests that for the convenience of the passengers, Bengaluru - Mangaluru night train should move as per old time table. He wants both Mangaluru and Karwar to be treated as equals as far as railway facilities are required. He wants a catch sliding system to be provided in Yadakumeri and Kadagaravalli stations to enable general crossing.