SWR revises departure timing of Vijayapura Express from Mangaluru to 4.45 p.m.

The revised timing is expected to benefit pilgrims from Kukke Subrahmanya and Dharmasthala, and also for those travelling from Mangaluru, Bantwal and Puttur towards Hassan, Arsikere, Davangere, Hubballi, Gadag, and Vijayapura.

South Western Railway (SWR) has revised the departure of Mangaluru Central-Vijayaprua Express Special from 2.35 p.m. to 4.45 p.m. with effect from July 1 owing to consistent demand by patrons.

It has also extended the service of Vijayapura-Mangaluru Central-Vijayapura Express Special (Train No. 07377/07378) for another six months, from July to December, by way of a notification dated June 5. The Railway Ministry did not regularise the service despite huge demand, and continues to operate them as special trains entailing patrons to pay higher fares.

The departure timing of Mangaluru Central-Vijayapura Express Special at important en-route stations are as under (existing timing in brackets):

There is no change in the timing of Train No. 07377, Vijayapura-Mangaluru Central Express Special that leaves Vijayapura at 3 p.m. to reach Mangaluru Central at 9.50 a.m.

Welcoming the SWR move, Dakshina Kannada Rail Users, an online forum of patrons, said it marks the return to the much-preferred pre-COVID evening departure, which was convenient for office-goers, students, long-distance passengers and pilgrims arriving in Mangaluru through connecting trains or buses.

The early afternoon departure introduced in the recent timetable was a major inconvenience, and the correction would be a huge relief to people. The revised timing is expected to benefit pilgrims from Kukke Subrahmanya and Dharmasthala, and also for those travelling from Mangaluru, Bantwal and Puttur towards Hassan, Arsikere, Davangere, Hubballi, Gadag, and Vijayapura.

It said the change was the result of collective efforts of railway activists, public forums and strong support from elected representatives who raised the issue with the Mysuru and Hubballi railway divisions.