Transforming Connectivity: Railway Ministry Regularises Vijayapura-Mangaluru Express for Seamless Travel Experience!
The Railway Ministry has approved the regularization of Train No. 07377/378, the Vijayapura-Mangaluru Central-Vijayapura Express Special, much to the relief of passengers who had long advocated for this change. Announced on Friday, June 27, the decision marks a significant milestone for commuters traveling between these two key locations.
Captain Brijesh Chowta, the Member of Parliament for Dakshina Kannada, expressed his satisfaction with the outcome on Saturday, June 28. “I am pleased to share that the long-pending demand to regularize the Vijayapura-Mangaluru train has been fulfilled,” he stated, emphasizing the importance of this service for patients from North Karnataka seeking medical care in Mangaluru, students pursuing education in coastal districts, and daily commuters. He thanked Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and Minister of State V. Somanna for making this possible.
Following the notification, the train will now operate under the regular numbers of Train Nos. 17377 and 17378, set to commence on an agreed-upon date soon. Previously, passengers using the special service faced higher fares compared to regular routes, adding pressure to their travel budgets.
In addition to the new regular service, the Railway Ministry also announced a change in the departure time for Train No. 17378. Effective July 1, the train will now leave Mangaluru Central at 4:45 PM instead of 2:35 PM. This adjustment reflects the scheduled introduction of regular services starting the same day. From July 1, the train’s timetable will include key en-route stops: departing from Subrahmanya Road at 7:00 PM, Hassan at 10:30 PM, Davanagere at 1:50 AM, Haveri at 3:02 AM, Hubballi at 4:50 AM, Gadag at 6:20 AM, and Bagalakote at 7:58 AM, arriving at Vijayapura at 11:15 AM, rather than 9:35 AM as previously scheduled. Meanwhile, the timing for the return service, Train No. 17377, remains unchanged, departing Vijayapura at 3:00 PM and reaching Mangaluru Central by 9:50 PM.
The train first made its debut in November 2019 but faced interruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Following its temporary cancellation, services were resumed on December 1, 2021, and extended to Mangaluru Central on April 20, 2024. Pressure from passenger associations in Mangaluru, Davanagere, Hubballi, and Vijayapura, alongside advocacy from political figures including former Dakshina Kannada MP Nalin Kumar Kateel, contributed to this successful campaign for regularization. The Indian Railway Timetable Committee (IRTTC) also recommended the move in 2022, after which the Ministry had been extending special services every six months.
This update is a welcome development for travelers in Karnataka, providing essential connectivity for healthcare, education, and daily commutes.
Original Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/railway-ministry-regularises-services-of-vijayapura-mangaluru-central-vijayapura-express-special/article69747724.ece
Category : Karnataka
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Publish Date: 2025-06-28 13:02:00
