Newindpress
Mangalore, Dec 14: A proposal to extend the newly-introduced Yeshwanthpur - Mangalore Express (6517/6518) train to Kannur will be discussed in the Zonal Railway User Consultative Committee (ZRUCC) meet.
The demand to extend the new train to Kannur was raised by various organisations from Kasaragod and Kannur districts. Railways General Manager Rakesh Chopra during his visit to Kannur Railway Station on Wednesday had assured that the proposal would be discussed in the ZRUCC meet which will be held in Chennai on January 8.
At present, the train number 6517 Yeshwanthpur - Mangalore Express arrives in Mangalore at 8.05 am. The 6518 Mangalore - Yeshwanthpur Express starts from Mangalore at 7.45 pm. Hence the train which reaches at 8.05 am being shunted for 11 hours and 40 minutes at Mangalore Central Railway Station.
This made passengers from Kasaragod and Kannur to demand the extension of the train to Kannur. But a highly placed source in the Southern Railways told this website's newspaper that the ZRUCC was only a recommendatory body. The decision taken in the ZRUCC cannot be taken as final.
The Railways could either consider or reject any decision taken in the ZRUCC meet, source said adding that only Railway Board had the power to take a decision on extending any train to another destination.
If the train has been extended to Kannur, various organisations and political parties, which already were opposing the alleged extension of Matsyagandha train to Thiruvananthapuram would fight against this decision too.
Now, since the train starts from Mangalore, passengers from the region are able to secure seats in general coaches easily. Once the train extended to Kannur, passengers from Mangalore will have to suffer since seats in general coach will be full by the time it reach Mangalore.
The waiting list in reservation for sleeper and AC coaches would also grow simultaneously.