Rail Users’ Forum Urges Centre to Address Train Delays, Protect Existing Schedules in Coastal Karnataka

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, May 24, 2026: The Paschima Karavali Railway Yatri Abhivruddi Samiti has urged Union Minister of State for Railways V. Somanna to resolve the persistent delay in the operation of Train No. 16511 Bengaluru–Kozhikode Express and safeguard the existing schedule of the Mangaluru Junction–Yeshvantapur Gomateshwara Express.

Members of the samiti submitted a memorandum to the minister during his visit to Mangaluru on Saturday, highlighting that the Bengaluru–Kozhikode Express has been running nearly 45 to 50 minutes behind schedule after reaching Subrahmanya Road railway station.

The forum described the train as a highly preferred overnight service connecting coastal Karnataka with Bengaluru and said commuters have been facing inconvenience due to the loss of punctuality over the past six months. The members requested the railway authorities to rectify the delay without altering the current timing of the train.

The samiti also expressed concern over reports that the proposed Madgaon–Bengaluru Vande Bharat Express could affect the schedule of Train No. 16575/76 Mangaluru Junction–Yeshvantapur Gomateshwara Express.

According to the forum, the existing timings of the Gomateshwara Express are convenient for passengers in the region, particularly daily commuters, and any alteration to accommodate the proposed Vande Bharat service would cause hardship to regular travellers.

Responding to the concerns, Somanna assured the delegation that the Railways would not take any decision that inconveniences commuters. He said public convenience would remain the priority while making operational decisions.

During his visit to Mangaluru Junction Railway Station, the minister directed Southern Railway officials to deploy Kannada-speaking staff at ticket counters and front desks at both Mangaluru Central and Mangaluru Junction railway stations.

Inspecting the newly introduced digital luggage locker facility at the station, Somanna termed the existing fee of ₹120 as excessive and asked officials to reduce it to a nominal charge of ₹10 or ₹20 to make the service affordable for passengers.

The minister also expressed dissatisfaction over what he described as inadequate efforts by Southern Railway, Konkan Railway and South Western Railway in developing railway infrastructure and passenger amenities in the Mangaluru region. He remarked that the lack of coordinated development was contributing to growing demands for a separate Mangaluru railway division.