DK MP meets Rly minister, seeks introduction of Kudla Express without delays

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Mar 29, 2017: The DK, Dakshina Kannada Member of Parliament Nalin Kumar Kateel on March 28,Tuesday met the Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu to press for  the introduction of the Mangaluru-Bengaluru Central Kudla Express.

The train should be operated from Mangaluru Central and not Mangaluru Junction, he specifically demanded.

MP Kateel met Minister Prabhu at his office in New Delhi and submitted a memorandum. He also urged the Minister to operate the Mumbai CSTM-Mangaluru Junction Express from Mangaluru Central for the benefit of larger sections of people.

The Kannur-Mangaluru Junction-Byndoor Passenger too should be operated via Mangaluru Central and be extended to Madgaon in Goa, the MP demanded.

Tracing the history of Kudla Express, the MP said that the service was announced in the 2014-15 Railway Budget and was included in the timetable also. It was supposed to ply via Mysuru and Southern Railway had confirmed availability of platform and stabling line [for night parking].

With the opening of the Hassan-Bengaluru new railway line, the South Western Railway has now decided to operate the train via the new line thereby drastically reducing journey hours and distance.

MP Kateel said that the Southern Railway appears to have not given concurrence to the changes in the schedule of Kudla Express and also had been suggesting to operate the train from Mangaluru Junction, which is located away from the city with inadequate public convenience. Operating services from Mangaluru Junction would be a deterrent to the public, he said.

The MP urged Rly minister Prabhu to ensure that the train operates from Mangaluru Central only via the newly commissioned route. Its name, Kudla Express, also should not be changed, he said.

MP Kateel asked that Southern Railway be imppressed to expeditiously complete work on an additional platform at Mangaluru Central and line doubling between Netravathi Cabin and Mangaluru Central to facilitate operation of more trains.