Demand for Vande Bharat stops is growing in Puttur and Arsikere ahead of the proposed Bengaluru-Mangaluru service. Rail users in Puttur have launched an online signature campaign, while groups in Arsikere have urged officials to approve a halt.
The much-awaited Bengaluru-Mangaluru Vande Bharat Express is inching closer to its launch after the train’s rakes arrived in Mangaluru. However, the proposed list of temporary stops has sparked concern among commuters, particularly in Puttur, as Kabaka-Puttur railway station has not been included. Local rail users’ groups have now launched an online signature campaign seeking a stop at the station, citing the needs of passengers from Puttur, Sullia, Uppinangady, Vittal, Bellare and surrounding rural areas of Dakshina Kannada.
Online Campaign For Kabaka-Puttur Stop
The Puttur-Subrahmanya Rail Users’ Committee and the Dakshina Kannada District Rail Users’ Committee have launched an online signature campaign demanding a stop for the proposed Bengaluru-Mangaluru Vande Bharat Express at Kabaka-Puttur railway station.
The campaign began at 1.30 pm on Friday and will continue until midnight on August 24.
Using the hashtag #KabakaPutturVandeBharat, the groups have called for a stop at Kabaka-Puttur, highlighting the needs of daily commuters from Puttur, Sullia, Uppinangady, Vittal, Bellare and nearby rural areas of Dakshina Kannada.
The campaigners said a stop at Kabaka-Puttur would provide better connectivity and benefit a large number of passengers travelling regularly between the coastal region and Bengaluru.
Similar Demand For A Stop In Arsikere
Meanwhile, a similar demand for a Vande Bharat stop has emerged in Arsikere.
The Rudraksha Foundation, along with the Samarpan and Sankalp organisations, has submitted a formal request to railway officials seeking a halt for the train at Arsikere.
The groups described Arsikere as a rapidly developing hub and also urged the authorities to expedite the ongoing development work at the railway station.
Stop Would Benefit Thousands
Jayaprakash Guruji, president of the Rudraksha Foundation, said thousands of passengers travel from Arsikere every day and that a Vande Bharat stop would significantly benefit them.
“Thousands of passengers travel from Arsikere every day. A Vande Bharat stop here would be a huge help,” he said.
He urged the Railway Minister and other officials to consider the demand, pointing out that a halt would save considerable travel time for people travelling to other cities for employment, education and business purposes.
Demand To Speed Up Station Development
The organisations also raised concerns over the slow pace of development work at Arsikere railway station, stating that the delay is causing inconvenience to passengers.
They urged railway authorities to expedite the work while prioritising passenger safety and convenience.
A formal request was submitted to senior railway officials through the Railway Station Manager.
Samarpan organisation president Vanajakshi Vijayakumar, Sankalp organisation convenor Sarojamma, along with Shanthamma Ramachandru, Rajanna Puttaswamy, Asha, Shanthamma and Meenakshamma, were present during the submission.
With demands emerging from both Kabaka-Puttur and Arsikere, local rail users are now hoping that the Railway Ministry will consider the proposed stops before finalising the Vande Bharat service schedule.