Payyanur: The Mangaluru–Goa Vande Bharat Express has been extended to Yeswanthpur, ending hopes of the service being extended to Kozhikode. The Railways has issued an order announcing the revised timings.

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The Mangaluru–Madgaon service is among the Vande Bharat Express trains operating at a loss. On average, only 30–40 per cent of its seats are occupied on days other than Sundays.

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There had been demands to extend the service to Kozhikode. BJP leader P.K. Krishnadas had earlier indicated that such an extension was on the cards. MPs, including M.K. Raghavan, K. Sudhakaran and Suresh Gopi, had also written to the Railway Minister seeking the extension.

It was argued that extending the service would attract more passengers from the four districts of North Malabar, boosting revenue through ticket sales and tourism packages. However, the Railway Ministry did not consider the proposal.

Daytime train to Bengaluru

The extension to Yeswanthpur is expected to benefit passengers travelling to Bengaluru via Mangaluru Junction.

The Madgaon–Yeswanthpur Vande Bharat Express (26656) will depart from Goa at 8.20 am, reach Mangaluru Junction at 1.50 pm and arrive at Yeswanthpur at 6.43 pm. It will halt at five stations between Mangaluru and Yeswanthpur.

The return service (26655) will depart from Yeswanthpur at 7.35 am, reach Mangaluru Junction at 3.05 pm and arrive in Goa at 8.55 pm. Its stops include Mookambika Road (Byndoor) and Murdeshwar.

The service will operate six days a week.