Mangaluru: Mangaluru Junction is a prominent railways station of Karavali, yet if faces an important problem of lack of connectivity without proper bus service. It’s the passengers bad luck that they are compelled to pay for the expensive service of the taxi and auto rickshaws. Train movement began along the Konkan railways tracks in 1997 and ever since then, the deplorable situation of the passengers has remained the same.

Five to six years back there was private bus service (53A, 54, 55, 61 (2 buses) and 65) to Mangaluru Junction. Now there are only to 61 number buses functioning here. On Sundays and holidays, it is normal for the buses to only do a single trip here.

The four buses which have the permit are not plying their buses and neither are they ready to transfer the permit to some other bus. The buses which are not functioning refuse to cancel their permit and make way for the plying of government buses. Hence, inevitably the passengers have to depend on the other mode of transport at an expensive price. More than 10 private city buses and two JNNURM ply in between Padil-Bajal road which is close to the junction railways station. There is a need to extend their services till the railway station to provide connectivity to the station.

But it is not being done. Daily there are 29 trains that pass through the Mangaluru Junction railway station in the North/South directions. Almost 12,000 passengers travel through the trains. Approximately 5,600 passengers book ticket here. Those travelling by the train have people to drop and receive them.

Due to the lack of bus service to the Junction railway station, people from Moodbidri and Yedapadavu regions are experiencing the highest loss. There are many people from here who travel towards Mumbai for various necessities. There are many patients from here, who travel by train to the Tata Institute in Mumbai for cancer treatment. Since Mangaluru express train which departs from Junction railways station reaches Mumbai quickly, most prefer this train. Since there is no direct bus service between Moodbidri and Mangaluru Junction railway station, the passengers have to inevitably depend on taxis.

The railway station is at a distance of 33 kms from Moodbidri and the taxi charges a whopping Rs 3,000 for the journey. Therefore the people of this region are demanding that JNNURM bus/KSRTC bus service be started from Moodbidri to Mangaluru junction railway station via Vamnajoor-Nanthoor-Pumpwell route.

This issue was brought to the notice of MLC Ivan D’Souza in April. A request was also made to MP Nalin Kumar Kateel and the Assistant Transport Officer. But, till daye no action has been taken says Oliver D’Souza, secretary of Mumbai Rail Yatri Association.

There is an accusation being heard that the opportunity to provide service for the online taxi aggregators too is being rejected at the Junction railway station. The price mentioned by Ola taxi (Rs 49 for 4 kms) on its name board has been removed.

There is no direct bus from this railway station to Hampankatte-State Bank. The 61 number bus plies only till Kankanady from where it goes to Kodikal via Kadri temple-Bejai-Lalbhag. A few rikshaw drivers demand Rs 500-600 to travel from the railway station to State Bank. To travel till Pumpwell, they charge Rs 250. The specialty is that most of the auto drivers do not turn on their meters.

A few years back, a rickshaw pre-paid counter was started here. But it functioned only for a few days and then closed its doors. The distance between Mangaluru and Mumbai via train is 1,165 and ticket price on general bogie is Rs 290, while for the sleeper coach it is Rs 530. But to travel 4-5 kms from Mangaluru junction railways station to State Bank, one has to pay Rs 500!

“It has already been decided to ply bus from KSRTC bus stand in Bejai to Moodbidri, and only the decision remains to be taken at the RTO meeting. Post the application of this decision, KSRTC bus facility from Mangaluru Junction Railway Station to Moodbidri will be examined,” said Deepak Kumar, KSRTC Mangaluru Divisional Officer.

“The road from near Naguri Patel complex to Mangaluru Junction Railway Station is being widened and is becoming convenient for bus transport. Therefore, a letter will be written to the State Chief Secretary requesting government bus service from Moodbidri to Mangaluru Junction Railway Station. Associations and institutions too must take into notice this situation and apply pressure on the government. Besides, the time table of 61 number private city bus must be displayed at the railway station,” said Oliver D’Souza, secretary of Mumbai Rail Yatri Association.