have welcomed the move which will cut travel time by about three hours.
The railways is fulfilling the demand of passengers and activists for running the train on the new Bengaluru-Hassan line, which was commissioned in March. The change is expected to cut about three hours of travel time in the present route via Mysuru.
However, once the change comes into effect, hundreds of commuters who travel to Mysuru will not have the 8.30 pm train from Bengaluru for four days in a week.
"Many come to Bengaluru for work from different places along Mysuru. Hundreds of them depend on the 8.30 pm train. Now, after 7 pm passenger train, they won't have any other option," said Yogendra S from Mysuru Grahakara Parishat.
Krishna Prasad of Karnataka Railway Vedike noted that of the four days in a week when the train to Mysuru will not chug, Friday and Saturday will hurt the passengers most.
"Many in corporate companies head to their places during weekend, when no number of trains are enough to fulfill the demand. The absence of this train will be felt hard," he said.
Yogendra said the railways should come up with an alternative before the diversion of train takes place. "Chennai Intercity Express arrives at Bengaluru around 8.30 pm. It can be extended to Mysuru. We have been demanding this for one year. The railways should consider it seriously at least now," he said.
SWR Chief Public Relations Officer E Vijaya said they were aware of the issue and looking into the possibility of running additional trains.
When asked about possibility of running an electric train (MEMU) after December, when the electrification of tracks between Yeliyur and Mysuru is set to be completed, she said there was no proposal in this regard.
"The doubling has been commissioned recently. We are exploring ways to enhance services," she said.
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