MP for Dakshina Kannada Capt. Brijesh Chowta has once again urged the Southern Railway to extend the tri-weekly Gomateshwara Express service, which runs between Yeshwantpur and Mangaluru Junction, to Mangaluru Central at the earliest.

Reminding the zone that the train was originally sanctioned by the Ministry of Railways as a service between Yeshwantpur and Mangaluru Central, Capt. Chowta said many of the reasons cited by the Southern Railway, including the lack of platforms and stabling lines, no longer exist.

In a recent letter to the Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) of Palakkad Division, Southern Railway, the MP said Mangaluru Central has witnessed significant infrastructure improvements, including two additional platforms, a pit line and a stabling line. Previous DRMs had assured that the service would be extended once additional platforms and stabling facilities were created.

Capt. Chowta said that with the extension of the Kacheguda-Mangaluru Central bi-weekly express to Murdeshwar and subsequently to Kumta, an additional stabling line had become available at Mangaluru Central.

The MP said extending the Gomateshwara Express and Yeshwantpur-Mangaluru Junction weekly express (Train No. 16539/16540), equipped with Vistadome coaches, to Mangaluru Central would improve passenger convenience and attract more tourists, thereby boosting regional tourism.

Residents of Mangaluru city also require a day-train service to Bengaluru, he said. Train Nos. 16575 and 16540, departing Mangaluru Central at 7 a.m. and reaching Yeshwantpur at 4.30 p.m., would greatly benefit passengers, he added.