Mumbai: For the first time on 23rd December, railway authorities started a special train, No. 09009, from Mumbai Central to Mangaluru. It was the dream of Tulu Kannadigas residing in the western suburbs of Mumbai to have at least one Konkan Railway to Mangaluru.
It was the hard work of MP Gopal Shetty along with the Railway Yatri Sagha that atleast a special train on trial basis be introduced from the western side.
The train departed from Mumbai Central about 11:40 am on 23rd December and was welcomed in Borivali by MP Gopal Shetty, president of the Railway Yatri Sangha (Borivali) – Virar Shankar Shetty, president – Udaya Shetty Shimantoor, vice president – Premnath Kotian, gen. secretary – Sheela Shetty, joint secretary – Rajith Suvarna, president of Tulu Sangha Borivali – Petemane Prakash Shetty, representatives of local committee of Billawara Association (Mumbai) – Mohan B Amin, Yashwant Poojary, Sadashiv Karkera, Shivaram Salian, Karunakar Poojary, Prateek Karkera and others from various Tulu Kannada associations and also from various community organizations were present on the occasion.
The special train running from Mumbai Central, Borivali, Vasai through the Konkan route departed from Mangaluru the next day.
This is a good news to Mangaloreans living in Western suburbs. Long live konkan railways. Mr. George Fernandes credit goes to you.
very very good news. work of our MP Gopal shetty and Railway Yatri Sangh is commendable.Keep up the good work and introducng more services for people staying on western side who have to travel all the way to kurla terminus and VT to travel to mangalore. Its a dream come true.
jayakar Kotian.
Good beginning. All people from western suburbs traveling to Konkan Region, Goa and Coastal Karnataka should take advantage of this service. It was long awaited. Hope this train will run on dsily basis soon.Many thanks to Railway Minister Mr.Prabhu and MP Mr. Gopal Shetty and others who have been working on this.we must also remember Mr.George Fernandes and Late Shri Madhu Dandavate who wre responsible for the construction of Konksn Railway.