Passengers demand more coaches for KSR-Mangaluru-Kannur Express

Nischith N. | NT

Though the government has lifted all the Covi-19 restrictions, following a dip in cases, the South Western Railways (SWR) division is yet to restart all the passenger train services.

Passengers are also demanding that SWR should increase the number of coaches for Train No. 16511 Kannur Express, which originates from Krantiveera Sangoli Rayanna station and passes through Mangaluru, because it is fully packed.

“It is summer season and people going towards Mangaluru and other parts of the state will be more. But Kannur Express has a limited number of coaches and most passengers end up on the waiting list,” said Kavya, a regular commuter.

According to the railways report, Train No. 16511 Bangalore-Kannur daily overnight express leaves Bengaluru KSR station at 9.30 pm and reaches Mangaluru at 7 am. These timings are convenient and hence there is always a huge demand for tickets. Those who cannot make it have to depend on buses, which are much more expensive.

“For those going to Mangaluru, the new timings are convenient, so there is a good demand. But with fewer couches, most of them depend on buses, a regular commuter.

According to the reports, Kannur Express now has seven sleeper coaches, four general coaches, two SLR coaches, one 2 tier AC and two 3 tier AC coaches. The commuters are demanding that two more sleeper coaches and one 3 tier AC coach should be added.

Reacting to this, senior Railway officials said, “During the pre-Covid days, the train used to leave Bengaluru at 7.15 pm and reach Mangaluru at 6 am. Now the timings have changed and it is convenient and number of waiting list tickets have gone up. This issue will be solved soon.”