If facilities are ready now,then why should Gomateshwara Express still not come up to Mangaluru Central?
MP Capt. Brijesh Chowta has again pushed for extension of Gomateshwara Express service to Mangaluru Central . He has raised this in recent letter to Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) of the Palakkad Division of the Southern Railway .
Main point he is making is also not some random political demand only . Mangaluru Central has now got two additional platforms,stabling line and pit line . Earlier,the usual reason given was lack of platforms and stabling facilities.
Capt. Chowta has reminded that earlier DRMs had reportedly assured service would be extended once these upgrades were done . And now that work is done,people are asking same question again.
He also referred to train's original sanction by Ministry of Railways and said reasons for not extending service have been resolved . Tbh,this is where argument becomes difficult to ignore.
Few things standing out clearly here:
- Mangaluru Central now has two additional platforms,stabling line and pit line .
- Kacheguda-Mangaluru Central bi-weekly express has been extended to Murdeshwar and Kumta,freeing additional stabling facilities at Mangaluru Central.
- Day service from Mangaluru Central to Bengaluru would help local commuters in very direct way .
Another point is passenger convenience . Extension of Gomateshwara Express can improve accessibility for travelers,and more services can also support regional tourism around Mangaluru . Not small thing ah,especially when rail connectivity matters so much for daily passengers and visitors.
Capt. Chowta has also spoken about extending Yeshwantpur-Mangaluru Junction weekly express,which has Vistadome coaches . That kind of service can improve travel experience,especially on this route where journey itself is part of attraction for many people.
He stressed that Mangaluru residents need more convenient day-train service to Bengaluru . His suggestion is about train Nos. 16575 and 16540,departing Mangaluru Central at 7 a.m. and reaching Yeshwantpur by 4:30 p.m. For many passengers,this timing would actually make much more sense than depending only on less convenient options.
But now main thing is whether railway authorities will actually move ahead or keep file pending again . Facilities are there,demand is there,local pressure is there… so what exactly is stopping extension now…
