New Railway timetable ignores Kasaragod yet again; no added stops, just train numbers changed

Kasaragod: The new railway timetable that came into effect on January 1 has left passengers in Kasaragod disappointed. According to the updated timetable released by the railway divisions, there are no announcements benefiting Kasaragod. The key highlights of the timetable include new trains, extended services, speed enhancements, additional coaches, re-numbering of trains and experimental stoppages. However, for Kasaragod, the only update is new train numbers, say officials of the Railway Passengers Association.

Passengers are questioning how these new numbers will benefit them. Several long-distance trains, including many weekend services, do not currently stop at Kasaragod. For instance, the weekend express from Thiruvananthapuram to Hazrat Nizamuddin and the Ernakulam–Hazrat Nizamuddin Express have no stops in the district. The first stop after Kannur is Mangalore Junction.

For years, passengers have requested that major trains halt at key stations such as Kumbla, Manjeshwar and Ullal, but these have been ignored in the new timetable also. This causes inconvenience to both regular commuters and students travelling for various purposes. Passengers question the purpose of renumbering trains if essential travel facilities are not provided.

The last train from Kasaragod to Thiruvananthapuram is the Malabar Express. The train departing Mangalore Central at 6.15 pm reaches Kasaragod at 7.10 pm, stopping at all stations from Manjeshwar to Thrikkaripur. In addition, the night train Mangalore Junction–Thiruvananthapuram North Antyodaya Express is available. Being fully unreserved, it is not listed on IRCTC booking platforms and operates only twice a week: on Thursdays and Saturdays from Thiruvananthapuram, and Fridays and Sundays from Mangalore. Converting this into a daily service could help reduce the overcrowding seen in the Malabar and Maveli Express.

Trains with no stops in the district

• 22475/22476 Coimbatore–Hisar AC Express
• 22653/22654 Thiruvananthapuram Central–Hazrat Nizamuddin Weekend Express
• 22655/22656 Ernakulam–Hazrat Nizamuddin Weekend Express