New trains for Vijayapura

By Firoz Rozindar

Vijayapura: After a prolonged gap caused by the Covid pandemic, two trains: Vijayapura-Mangaluru daily special express and Hubballi-Vijayapura passenger will resume service from December 1.

The South Western Railways (SWR) has restored over 80 train services, which were discontinued since the first wave of the novel coronavirus hit the country. The railway authorities have decided to add two more trains to the list and one daily express and passenger train will be operated from Vijayapura from the first week of December.

According to officials of SWR, “The VijayapuraMangaluru (07377) daily special express train will chug-off from December 1 and Mangaluru-Vijayapura (07378) from December 2. Similarly, Hubballi-Vijayapura (06919) passenger train will start running from December 1 and Vijayapura-Hubballi (06920) from December 3.”

The Vijayapura-Mangaluru express train will comprise of five general, six sleeper and a third-AC compartment whereas the Hubballi-Vijayapura passenger train will have only general compartments. The online reservation service for the express train has already started.

Ashok Hallur, chairman of Vijayapura Railway Action Committee, said, “It is a good development. These two trains were much needed for the region. Vijayapura-Mangaluru train will help the tourists and labourers as many people from this region migrate to coastal areas in search of better livelihood means.”

“The Vijayapura-Hubballi passenger train will help daily commuters mainly the working class. The two trains will ease the burden on passengers as people can travel at an affordable cost. Meanwhile, the authorities should also introduce VijayapuraYesvantpur express train,” urged activist Hallur.

At present only four pairs of daily express trains are being operated from Vijayapura. The five express trains are – Gol Gumbaz Express, Basava Express, Hubballi-Secunderabad Express and Gadag-Mumbai Express.

Aneesh Hegde, Chief PRO, said, “After the approval of railway board, the two trains are being restored. These trains will resume services from December 1. The online ticket booking facility for express trains has already started. As for the introduction of Vijayapura-Yesvantpur daily express train – the demand will be examined,” stated CPRO Hegde.