Kozhikode: Malabar passengers have raised concerns over the limited service of the Amrit Bharat Express, which starts its weekly journey on Tuesday between Nagercoil and Mangaluru. Between Shoranur and Mangaluru Junction, the train halts at just five stations: one each in Malappuram, Kozhikode, and Kasaragod districts, leaving major stations like Koyilandi, Vadakara, Payyanur, and Kanhangad without service.

The Amrit Bharat Express has a highly uneven stopping pattern along its route. Between Shoranur and Mangaluru, it halts at only one station each in Malappuram, Kozhikode, and Kasaragod districts, leaving several major towns without service. In contrast, the train makes 13 stops between Nagercoil and Shoranur, providing far more accessibility in the southern stretch of Kerala. Other districts see varied coverage: Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Kottayam, Ernakulam, and Kannur each have two stops, while Alappuzha has three. Meanwhile, Thrissur, Pathanamthitta, and Palakkad are served by only a single stop each. This distribution highlights a significant disparity in connectivity, with Malabar districts receiving far fewer halts despite being key passenger and revenue hubs.

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These neglected stations are significant revenue contributors, with annual averages of ₹30 crore for Vadakara, ₹21 crore for Koyilandi, ₹24 crore for Payyanur, and ₹18 crore for Kanhangad. By contrast, the train stops at stations such as Changanassery and Mavelikara, which have lower revenue.

Passengers noted that the train’s schedule could have been convenient for night travel between Shoranur and Mangaluru. Currently, after the evening Netravati Express, only early morning weekly trains are available to Mangaluru, while most other trains in the region terminate at Kannur, leaving a service gap.

The total journey from Nagercoil to Mangaluru is scheduled at 17 hours and 20 minutes. The train is expected to reach Kasaragod at 1.55 am but has been allocated three hours to cover the 46 km to Mangaluru. This scheduling allows for delays without affecting the official arrival time, according to railway calculations.