Malabar demands special trains from Bengaluru during Onam season

Bengaluru: Rail passengers are urging the authorities to allow special trains from Bengaluru to the Malabar region during the busy Onam season. Currently, two special trains have been allowed to Kochuveli and one to Ernakulam. Passengers, especially families travelling to Kozhikode and Kannur, mostly rely on trains even though they take longer than buses, as train tickets are affordable. Last year, the special train announced on the day before Thiruvonam, from Bayyapanahalli terminal to Mangaluru via Salem, had run completely empty. Currently, the passengers to the Malabar region mostly depend on the Yashwanthpura - Kannur Express via Salem. However, tickets are sold out for this train that passes through Palakkad, Malappuram and Kozhikode districts on September 12 and 13. Besides, there is a weekly service from Yashwanthpura to Mangaluru via Salem; this train runs only on Sundays, starting from Yashwanthpura at 12 am.

Madurai – Bengaluru Vande Bharat
The maiden service of the Madurai – Bengaluru Vande Bharat (20671) was received with much fanfare at the KR Puram and Cantonment stations. Meanwhile, the regular service from Bengaluru will begin from Monday onwards. The Bengaluru Cantonment – Madurai Vande Bharat (20672) departs at 1.30 pm and reaches the destination at 9.45 pm. This train stops at KR Puram, Salem, Namakkal, Karoor, Thiruchirappally, and Dindigul. The ticket costs Rs 1575 per head in the chair car and Rs 2865 in the executive chair car.

Kannur Express waits to be extended to Kozhikode
The Bengaluru—Kannur Express (16511/16512) via Mangaluru still ends its service at Kannur, seven months after the railway board had granted approval to extend the train up to Kozhikode. The elected representatives in the coastal belt fiercely disagree, arguing that extending the train that connects the coastal regions to Bengaluru would be a blow to the passengers from the southern Kannada, Udupi, and Hassan districts.

Former South Kannada MP and BJP leader Nalinkumar Katteel had met railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw in person and demanded that the order be repealed, extending the train up to Kozhikode. The train that began in 2007 in the Bengaluru – Mangaluru route was later extended to Kannur. A temporary schedule was also published before extending the train to Kozhikode. The KSR Bengaluru – Kozhikode Express (16511) leaves Bengaluru at 9.35 pm and reaches Kozhikode at 12.40 pm the next day. Meanwhile, Kozhikode – Bengaluru Express (16512) leaves at 3.30 pm and arrives at 6.35 am.

Currently, the Bengaluru—Kannur Express leaves KSR Bengaluru station at 9.35 pm and reaches Kannur at 10.55 the next morning. Meanwhile, the return trip begins at 5.05 pm and reaches Bengaluru at 6.35 am. This train stops at Yashwanthpura, Kunigal, Channarayapatna, Hassan, Sakaleshpura, Subramanya Road, Managaluru Junction, Kasargod, Payyannur, Kannur, Thalassery, Vadakara, and Koyilandi.

Yelahanka – Ernakulam Garib Rath
The booking for the Yelahanka – Ernakulam Garib Rath special train that starts running today has begun. The first service from Ernakulam to Yelahanka began on Sunday at noon. The train stops at KR Puram and Whitefield stations. The next service from Yelahanka is on September 5 and 7, while it runs service from Ernakulam on September 4 and 6.
Yelahanka – Ernakulam Garib Rath special (06102)
This special train leaves Yelahanka at 5 a.m. and stops at KR Pura (5.20 am), Whitefield (5.31 am), Salem, Erode, Tirupur, Pothannur, Palakkad, and Thrissur before reaching Ernakulam Junction at 2.20 pm. The ticket costs Rs 775 in the AC chair car and Rs 995 in the three-tier car.
Ernakulam – Yelahanka special (06101)
The train departs Ernakulam Junction at 12.40 pm and reaches Yelahanka at 11 pm via Whitefield (9.21 pm) and KR Puram (9.31 pm).