Patrons upset over lack of direct train connectivity from Karnataka to Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu
By Southern Railway
Copyright thehindu
Notwithstanding the inauguration of the new Pamban bridge connecting Mandapam on the mainland and Rameswaram on Pamban island in April and the subsequent statutory inspection of the 52-km electrified line, Karnataka does not have a single direct train to Rameswaram, one of the 12 Jyotirlinga Peethas of India.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 2.07 km-long new Pamban bridge, consisting of 100 spans, including the 72-m vertical central lifting section, on April 6.
Southern Railway’s Principal Chief Electrical Engineer Ganesh conducted the statutory inspection of the electrified 52-km stretch between Ramanathapuram and Rameswaram stations in Madurai division on September 13. He also successfully conducted a high-speed trial run between the two stations.
The Mangaluru Central–Rameswaram Bi-weekly Express was approved by the Railway Board and notified as early as March 2024. While train operations to Rameswaram in Madurai division remained suspended from December 2022 following unsafe condition of the old Pamban bridge, the Southern Railway did not start the new service at all. There was no word on commencing the services even after inauguration of the new bridge, according to Yogendra Swamy from Mysuru Grahaka Parishat.
On the other hand, Train No. 07355/56 SSS Hubballi-Ramanathapuram-SSS Hubballi Weekly Special, introduced in 2022, continues to terminate at Ramanathapuram instead of running up to Rameswaram.
Train No. 06237/38 Mysuru-Ramanathapuram-Mysuru Weekly Special (going via Bengaluru), continues to operate only till Ramanathapuram, he added.
Mr. Swamy, a rail activist, said non-availability of services between Karnataka and Rameswaram was not a case of pending construction. The bridge was complete; the proposals and approvals exist, yet the services have not commenced. He said while the Railways was quick to introduce a daily service between Tambaram-Chennai and Rameswaram upon the opening of the new bridge, passengers from Mangaluru, Mysuru and Hubballi continue to depend on connecting trains.
Pashchima Karavali Railway Yatri Abhivriddhi Samithi President G. Hanumanth Kamath noted that while people in coastal Karnataka were happy over the announcement of Mangaluru-Rameswaram bi-weekly express, its non-introduction even after a year has disappointed them.
Mr. Swamy said until trains actually run, approvals and announcements would remain little more than words on paper.
