24-Bogie Train Between Bangalore-Mangalore, Soon to be Extended to Karwar

Bangalore, Sep 21: The long-pending wish of the people of coastal region will finally be fulfilled as Indian Railways has planned to extend the night train plying from Bangalore to Mangalore up to Karwar.

The 24-bogie 'slip coach' train will arrive from Bangalore to Mangalore and then leave for Karwar with 12 bogies, railway officials said.

The prime benefit of increasing the number of bogies from 17 to 24 is that as many as 4,000 passengers can travel at a time.

Prior to the announcement, a test was conducted at the Shiradi Ghat by the department concerned with the help of railway research and development team from Lucknow. The train with 24 bogies was successfully run on Shiradi Ghat four times, only after which the railway depatment gave the green signal on the proposal.

The reports obtained by the research and development team were handed over to the railway safety commission. In response, the commissioner has asked for clarification on certain matters. Once the formalities are completed, the trains will begin to operate, said railway sources.

It may be recalled that the night train between Bangalore to Mangalore was started in 2007. Later in 2010, the department had decided to extend it to Kannur instead of Karwar. But the people of the coastal region have consistently demanded the train facility to Karwar.

Taking this into consideration, the above proposal is set up where the 24-bogie train will proceed to two destinations after reaching Mangalore. The 24 bogies will be divided into two with 12 bogies each, to which separate engines will be attached. Each 12-bogie train will then travel to Kannur and Karwar.

Udupi-Chikmagalur MP Jayaprakash Hegde was consistently following up this issue with the union railway minister. Speaking to the reporters Hegde said that the new facility will be a boon for the people of coastal Karnataka.