MP's tweet hints at bifurcation of Bengaluru-Kannur/Karwar overnight express

MANGALURU: The combined Bengaluru-Kannur/Karwar-Bengaluru (16511/12-16513/14) overnight express is set to be bifurcated with Karwar portion of the train operate via Padil bypass without touching Mangaluru.
This move in the offing by Railway Board though against popular demand for a dedicated overnight superfast train between Bengaluru and Karwar, will help passengers going to Karwar save approximately two hours of travel time.
Hinting at this development before a formal announcement from the Board was Shobha Karandlaje, Udupi-Chikkamagaluru MP. In a tweet on Saturday, Shobha thanked Suresh C Angadi, minister of state for railways for his positive gesture. The tweet read: “Hon MoSR (Suresh Angadi) informed that it's decided to run 16513 Karwar express via Padeel (sic) b(y)-pass which will save apx 2hrs travel time" and thanked him.

The development comes on back of recent announcement by Angadi that a new train will run between Bengaluru and the coast. Train activists launched a mass campaign to get this train following reluctance on part of South Western Railway (SWR) that cited restriction on 55-km Ghat stretch between Subrahmanya Road and Sakleshpur to act on it. “We are working to get restrictions relaxed to facilitate introduction of more trains,” SWR officials maintained.
Miffed by this reaction of SWR are rail activists who wanted a new train service. Bengaluru based Gautam Shetty hailing from Kundapura who coordinated the mass campaign said, "Delinking the combined express at Subrahmanya Road takes up about 30 minutes. While the Karwar portion of the train may get about 10 coaches, Mangaluru/Kannur portion may get 13-14 coaches. This arrangement will not serve any purpose,” Gautham avers.
The bifurcation, Gautham hoped will be only a temporary arrangement till the Ghat restrictions were eased. With Karwar portion not touching Mangaluru, the train could reach Karwar by 11 am, he said urging SWR to speed up the train between Nelamangala and Bantwal to enable it reach Karwar by 10an. Ganesh Puthran, president, Kundapura Railu Prayanikara Vedike welcoming the move said the fight for a new train will continue anyhow.