The demand for introducing a train from Western Railway of Mumbai connecting Mangaluru and Kerala completes 25 years. Unfortunately, it is yet to see the light of day.
Since 1997, passengers have been demanding at least two daily express trains, originating from Bandra terminus via Vasai, Panvel towards Mangaluru.
All the existing eight trains, including Mangala Express, Netravathi Express, Matsyagandha Express and Garib Rath Express, depart from Central Mumbai, says Oliver D’souza executive secretary of the Mumbai-based Railway Yatri Sangha.
Highly populated areas in Western Mumbai, like Bandra, Santa Cruz, Andheri, Vasai Road and surrounding areas are home to lakhs of Kannadigas. “Mira Road is famously known as mini Mangaluru and yet there is no train originating from this side towards Konkan Railway,” D’Souza rues.
