Rail passengers and advocacy groups in Mangaluru have raised strong objections to a recent proposal from Kerala for a new Vande Bharat Express train, arguing that the coastal city needs its own dedicated premium service to Bengaluru. The controversy erupted after Kerala's Kasaragod MP, Rajmohan Unnithan, wrote to Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, urging the introduction of a Vande Bharat Express between Kannur and Bengaluru City via Mangaluru Central and Hassan.
Why Mangaluru Wants Its Own Train
Local stakeholders, including the Paschima Karavali Railway Yatri Abhivridhi Samiti, have stressed that Mangaluru should not be treated as a mere stop on a route originating in Kerala. They argue that the city's rapid transformation into a 'Silicon Beach' and a hub for data centre development, alongside growth in industry, education, and healthcare, necessitates a direct, high-speed rail link to the state capital. "Mangaluru should not be treated as a passing station. Only if the train originates here will passengers benefit from convenient timings and assured seat availability," members of the Samiti stated.
They pointed out that other major Karnataka cities like Hubballi, Mysuru, and Belagavi already enjoy dedicated Vande Bharat services to Bengaluru, and Mangaluru deserves equal priority. The group emphasized that the requirement is for a dedicated train between Mangaluru and Bengaluru, rather than a service that begins in Kerala or the Konkan region.
Kerala MP's Proposal and Existing Success
In his letter, MP Rajmohan Unnithan highlighted the transportation woes faced by the public in north Kerala districts, particularly Kasaragod and Kannur. He noted the lack of high-speed travel options to Bengaluru, forcing reliance on overcrowded regular trains, flights, and buses. The proposed train, he argued, would cater to the frequent travel needs of people from the north Malabar region to Bengaluru for employment, education, and medical purposes.
Unnithan also cited the exceptional success of existing Vande Bharat services in the region. The trains operating between Thiruvananthapuram and Kasaragod, and Thiruvananthapuram and Mangaluru Central, have recorded occupancy figures over 100%, even touching 193% at times, topping national occupancy charts.
Opposition and the Road Ahead
The Samiti acknowledged that while a Kannur-Bengaluru Vande Bharat could be considered as a separate proposal, the Mangaluru-Bengaluru route must have an exclusive, dedicated train. They also revealed that there is opposition in Madgaon, Goa, to extending the Mumbai-Madgaon Vande Bharat Express to Mangaluru, further complicating the scenario.
The core demand from Mangaluru's rail users is clear: the city's status as a booming economic and IT corridor warrants a premium train service that originates from the city itself, guaranteeing better departure timings and solving the perennial problem of seat availability for local commuters. The ball is now in the court of the railway ministry to balance regional demands with operational feasibility.
