Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru

Mangaluru, Jan 27: Rail passengers have expressed strong displeasure over the schedule of the newly introduced Nagercoil–Mangaluru Junction–Nagercoil Amrit Bharat train, just days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off the service with much fanfare at Thiruvananthapuram on Friday.

While the inaugural special was warmly received by passengers at stations along the route, the timetable for the regular service, released the same day, has left rail users dumbfounded, particularly over the prolonged travel time and slack scheduling between Kozhikode and Mangaluru Junction.

As per the published schedule, the train reaches Kozhikode at 10.37 pm and departs three minutes later at 10.40 pm, but takes nearly three hours to reach Kasargod, arriving at 1.55 am and leaving at 1.57 am. The train then takes another three hours to cover a mere 48 rail kilometres between Kasargod and Mangaluru Junction, raising serious concerns among passengers.

Rail users suspect that the train is likely to be detained for extended periods to give priority to Superfast and Express services, resulting in long halts outside stations at signals. Even during daytime runs between Mangaluru Junction and Nagercoil, the train takes almost 14 hours, trailing behind other services such as the Ernad Express and the Mangaluru Central–Chennai Egmore Express.

“Imagine the plight of passengers stuck in non-AC coaches. During summer, these coaches would turn into simmering cauldrons. Passengers will be forced to wait just a few metres away from their destinations on a train being projected as a premium service,” said Ajas Vadakkedam, executive member of Friends on Rails – Passengers Association.

He further pointed out that railway rules do not allow passengers to use middle berths during daytime, compelling them to sit upright for long hours. In contrast, the overnight Mangaluru Junction–Kochuveli Antyodaya Express, which runs with fully unreserved coaches and no sleeper accommodation, completes the same journey in just 11 hours and 15 minutes.

Comparisons with other long-distance services have added to the criticism. The Malabar Express, which stops at 51 stations, completes the journey in 15 hours and 30 minutes, whereas the Amrit Bharat train, despite halting at only 19 stations, takes about 17 hours to travel between Nagercoil and Mangaluru Junction.

Passengers have also questioned the selection of halts, noting that the train does not stop at major North Malabar stations such as Vadakara, Koilandy, Payyanur, and Kanhangad, while halting at Karunagappally, Kayankulam, Mavelikara, Chengannur, Tiruvalla, and Changanassery between Kollam and Kottayam.

Rail users have urged the Railway authorities to rework the schedule, warning that excessive slack time and operational delays could undermine the very purpose of introducing the Amrit Bharat service, which has been projected as a premium yet affordable travel option.