Railways grants Bhatkal stop to Mumbai-Mangalore express

26 Nov 2013 / TNN MANGALORE: The ministry of Railways has issued a letter to Konkan Railway Corporation to facilitate stoppage for the Mumbai Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST) - Mangalore Junction Express Train (12133/12134) at Bhatkal at an early convenient date. In a letter written by Ravi Mohan Sharma, director (technical), Railway Board to Konkan Railway Commercial section, he said the express should be provided stops on an experimental basis for a period of six months. It further stated that if need be, the timings may be adjusted between the concerned zonal railways in mutual consultation, adding that sales of tickets from Bhatkal, the traffic report should be sent to the board's office for review by April 30, 2014. Social worker and former Bhatkal municipal Councillor Syed Hasan Barmavar, who had written more than 50 letters to four railway ministers and one even to the President of India in this matter, said he was glad that finally the ministry looked upon the request favourably. The train started its operations on July 2, 2011. He had questioned the rationale of railways in allowing the train to have three stops in 125 kms of Udupi district and only two in 180 kms in Uttar Kannada District covering five taluks. Barmavar also brought to the attention of the railway ministers the travails of passengers from Bhatkal to travel to Lokamanya Tilak Terminus in Mumbai and Byndoor in Uttara Kannada to catch the trains, spending considerable amount of time and money in the process.