Patrons upset over repeated attempts by Railway Ministry to meddle with timetable of Murdeshwar Express
The Hindu
A couple of months ago, the Ministry had asked South Western Railway (SWR), which owns the train, to change the timetable. It said that any express train should get at least three hours platform turn round (PFTR) to facilitate coach cleaning and watering. Train 16585, reaching Murdeshwar at 12.55 p.m., leaves at 2.10 p.m. as Train 16586 without adequate PFTR. SWR, however, did not agree to change the timetable saying the train is a popular service and disturbing its timetable would affect the service.
Railway patrons in Bengaluru, Mysuru and coastal Karnataka are upset over alleged repeated attempts by the Railway Ministry to meddle with the timetable of Bengaluru-Murdeshwar-Bengaluru Express that could nullify the benefits the service has been offering.
Initially operated between Sir M Visvesvaraya Terminal-Bengaluru-Mangaluru Central-SMVTB as Trains 16585/586, the service was extended to Murdeshwar in September 2023 for better utilisation of the idling rake. Mysuru had lost railway connectivity with coastal Karnataka after the Konkan Railway Corporation Limited got the Bengaluru-Karwar portion of the Bengaluru-Kannur/Karwar Express cancelled on March 20, 2020, as a condition to introduce Bengaluru-Karwar-Bengaluru Panchaganga Express.
Platform turn round
A couple of months ago, the Ministry had asked South Western Railway (SWR), which owns the train, to change the timetable. It said that any express train should get at least three hours platform turn round (PFTR) to facilitate coach cleaning and watering. Train 16585, reaching Murdeshwar at 12.55 p.m., leaves at 2.10 p.m. as Train 16586 without adequate PFTR.
SWR, however, did not agree to change the timetable saying the train is a popular service and disturbing its timetable would affect the service.
Yogendra Swamy from Mysuru Grahaka Parishat said that hundreds of trains in Indian Railways do not get 3-hour PFTR. Moreover, Murdeshwar neither has cleaning nor watering facility. He aacused the Ministry of attempting to derail a popular train.
When SWR refused to change the timetable, the Ministry recently proposed to convert Murdeshwar Express to a day service, again citing the same reason. SWR, however, did not agree to the day-train proposal, it is learnt.
Siddaramaiah criticizes BJP for not understanding Gandhi's values and contributions, dismissing their remarks as meaningless.
Junior doctors in Kolkata continue protests over rape and murder case, seeking justice and cooperation from authorities.
Fatal road accident on Solapur-Kalaburagi highway kills two pilgrims and a scooterist, drivers flee the scene.
TTD making arrangements for issue of Vaikunta Dwara Darshan tokens for 10 days. The darshan will be facilitated from January 10 to 19, 2025, and the tokens for the first three days will be issued on January 9, 2025.
Shop at the Self Help Group Mela 2024 in Visakhapatnam for handmade products, saris, food, and more at affordable prices.
Gandhi Bharata: Year-long centenary celebrations of 1924 Belgaum Congress Session chaired by Mahatma Gandhi with various events planned.
Railway officials led by DRM inspect Pamban Railway Bridge for compliance with CRS observations, aiming for completion in 10 days.
Upcoming Coastal Shipping and Merchant Shipping Bills aim to boost Indian ship ownership and ease of doing business.
Advisor and Aland MLA B.R. Patil urges Karnataka government to rename KSRDPRU in Gadag after Mahatma Gandhi.
The role of Public Relations Officer in any society was very important in connecting people with organisations, said B. Vasanthan, Regional Passport Officer, Madurai.
Former CPI Maoist leader Swarnakka surrenders, citing disillusionment with Maoist ideologies, aiming to lead a peaceful life with family.