MANGALURU: Thousands of students from Kerala, who are enrolled in schools and colleges in Mangaluru, are in a bind as Southern Railway is yet to introduce trains with general compartments. These students depend on local trains to commute.
Before the pandemic struck, the railway division ran 15 trains, including 10 express trains, between Kasaragod and Mangaluru. Now, Southern Railway operates only seven express trains on the route, none of which have a general compartment.
A professor said students can travel only if they reserve a ticket, which is impractical and are forced to rely on buses, which is unfeasible for a majority of them. The average cost of travelling in a general compartment between Kasargod and Mangaluru is Rs 15, while travelling in a sleeper class would cost Rs 145 and express second seating is Rs 45.
Mohammad Ashfaz, a student from Kasaragod, said many students have taken houses on rent in Mangaluru to avoid travel. Others have opted for paying guest accommodations or stay with relatives, while some travel by private vehicles.
The frequency of buses between Kasaragod and Mangaluru is relatively good, but only till the afternoon. Adhering to government-prescribed SOPs, many colleges conduct classes in two batches: Morning and noon. “Students who have to attend classes in the afternoon suffer since bus services are irregular,” a lecturer said.
Sister Norine D’Souza, principal, St Agnes PU College, said some parents drop students to college while the others commute by bus. “About 50 students, who cannot come to college, attend classes online,” she said.
About 690 second PU college students from Kerala study in various colleges in Mangaluru. Palakkad Railway division public relations officer MK Gopinathan said a decision is yet to be taken on resuming trains with general compartment.