Another Bangalore-Mangalore night train likely

Another Bangalore-Mangalore night train likely

Staff Reporter

BANGALORE: South Western Railway (SWR) is likely to introduce one more night passenger train between Bangalore and Mangalore as the existing train is booked for months together. However, the day train between the two cities, as announced by Railway Minister Lalu Prasad two years ago via Arsikere, appears still a distant dream.

SWR General Manager Praveen Kumar told presspersons after laying the foundation stone for the new station building at the second entry of the City Railway Station here on Tuesday. Asked when the SWR would commence operation of the day train, Mr. Praveen Kumar said the Railways may not be in a position to sacrifice the freight traffic, which is heavy during daytime on the Arsikere-Mangalore section.

However, SWR may consider introducing one more night train between the two cities, he said. The timetable committee,will take a decision for the next year, he added.

The coastal people had requested extending the Bangalore-Mangalore train till Karwar in the north and Kannur in the south. Mr. Praveen Kumar said the proposal was under the board’s consideration. He admitted that huge passenger potential on both the sectors could be tapped by extending the services.
New train to Bijapur

Considering the demand of the people from Bijapur for a direct and speedy train service to Bangalore, Mr. Praveen Kumar said SWR was also in favour of it and the board had to take a decision on it.

Till such a decision was taken, SWR was planning to extend the Chennai-Bangalore-Puttaparthi Weekly Express to Bijapur, as a holiday special.