Commuters from Arsikere demand more trains

Nischith N | NT

It has been months since many states, including Karnataka, have lifted curbs on movement of people after a fall in Covid-19 cases. But the South Western Railways (SWR) still continues to operate fewer trains and has not altered its Covid period schedule.

The pandemic has also delayed the electrification till Arsikere via Tumakuru. This has further extended the commuters’ wait for the Mainline Electric Multiple Unit (MEMU) trains.

The commuters are now demanding the South Western Railways should at least increase the frequency of the existing Diesel-Electric Multiple Unit (DEMU) trains from Krantiveera Sangoli Rayanna (KSR) station as only two trains are being operated with only six pairs, and they are always fully packed.

“With Covid-19 cases dropping, more people have started using trains. Ridership is increasing by the day with people travelling to factories, educational institutes, and other workplaces. Earlier it was a conventional train which used to run from Mysuru to Arsikere via Bengaluru with 21 coaches. That train was very helpful for the daily commuters. As per my knowledge, we have more than 15,000 people commuting from Arsikere, but currently there are only six coaches. This is creating problems for the commuters,” said Karanam Ramesh, activist, to News Trail.

A train leaves Arsikere at 5 am and reaches Bengaluru at 9 am. The lack of enough coaches is causing inconvenience to people, who have to arrive in Bengaluru early in the morning for work. Thousands of people are forced to take a bus, which is more expensive. While the bus fare is around rupees Rs 80- 100, a train ticket from Tumakuru to Bengaluru costs just Rs 20.

According to forum members, the current services are not adequate despite SWR’s claims. The existing DEMU train from Arsikere to KSR Bengaluru leaves at around 5 am and another DEMU train leaves Tumakuru at 8 am.

“The train which leaves from Tumukuru at 8 am was also a conventional train with more coaches, but due to COVID now that has been converted with DEMU with limited couches. I request that SWR officials should look into this matter as the priority basis” Ramesh further added.