Former MP Prathap Simha appeals Union Minister of State for Railways V. Somanna

Mysuru: Former Mysuru-Kodagu MP Prathap Simha has appealed Union Minister of State for Railways V. Somanna to extend the KSR Bengaluru- CSMT Mumbai Udyan Express train to Ashokapuram in Mysuru.

In a memorandum submitted to V. Somanna, Simha said, it has been a longstanding demand of passengers for providing direct connectivity between Mysuru and Mumbai-Pune. With the lack of direct trains between Mysuru & Mumbai, the passengers from Mysuru are forced to change trains to reach their destination. As an alternative, they are also forced to catch flights which are expensive or resort to road transport, which is less comfortable, especially for children and the aged. As such, it is necessary to provide a direct link between Mysuru & Mumbai by extending Udyan Express train, that is currently running between KSR Bengaluru and CSMT Mumbai, to Ashokapuram in Mysuru, he maintained.

Continuing, he said, Ashokapuram Railway Station has been expanded to 7 Platforms  and now has all the facilities for trains to halt. Noting that Udyan Express halts at KSR Bengaluru Railway Station for over 14 hours, Simha said, the extension of this train service will not only help in better utilisation of Railway facilities and infrastructure, but also serve as an important service for passengers travelling between Mysuru & Mumbai. Extension will help Railways boost connectivity and bring in additional revenues, he said.