17-07-2025
Passenger train advantage: Revenue to stations on Padil-Subrahmanya Road section crosses ₹5 crore mark in Q1
Passenger revenue earnings of nine railway stations on the Padil-Subrahmanya Road section in Dakshina Kannada district saw an increase of over ₹38.33 lakh between January-March and April-June (Q1) of 2025.
Puttur-Subrahmanya Railway Users' Association member Shankar Kalmadka recently obtained this information under the Right to Information Act from South Western Railway's Mysuru Division. The Association attributed this increase to the extension of the Mangaluru-Kabaka Puttur passenger to Subrahmanya Road for two round trips from April this year.
The revenue hike is an indication of more commuters taking the extended passenger train, said B. Shreekara from the association. While the Railways had earned ₹4,65,86,410 passenger revenue between January-March 2025, the amount rose to ₹5,04,38,526 between April-June 2025, he noted.
Passenger revenue from stations on the Padil-Subrahmanya Road section
Station January-March 2025 April-June 2025 Subrahmanya Road ₹2,90,40,404 ₹3,02,45,904 Bajakere Halt ₹8,880 ₹31,570 Kodimbala Halt ₹26,775 ₹83,290 Yadamangala ₹8,915 ₹42,190 Kaniyur ₹8,965 ₹89,050 Narimogaru ₹2,855 ₹17,300 Kabaka Puttur ₹1,09,34,431 ₹1,22,44,465 Neralakatte ₹8,025 ₹8,880 Bantwal ₹65,47,160 ₹76,75,877 Total ₹4,65,86,410 ₹5,04,38,526
Increase in Passenger Revenue: ₹38,33,855
*Source: RTI reply from South Western Railway, Mysuru Division
Long-pending demand
Following the persistent demand from patrons and people's representatives, the Railways extended the early morning and evening services of the Mangaluru Central-Kabaka Puttur passenger train service to Subrahmanya Road. A noon service was already operational between Mangaluru Central and Subrahmanya Road. Minister of State for Railways, V. Somanna, had flagged off the extended services on April 12 in the city.
While the then MP for Dakshina Kannada, Nalin Kumar Kateel, had initiated the demand for the extension of the service, Capt. Brijesh Chowta, the incumbent MP, continued the efforts, emphasising that the move would improve the economy of remote regions between Puttur and Subrahmanya Road.
Mr. Shreekara said that the passenger revenue increased by over ₹12 lakh in Subrahmanya Road; ₹22,000 in Bajakere Halt; ₹56,000 in Kodimbala Halt, which was close to the taluk headquarters Kadaba; ₹33,000 in Yedamangala; ₹80,000 in Kaniyur, which was close to Subrahmanya-Puttur main road; ₹14,000 in Narimogaru; ₹13 lakh in Kabaka Puttur; ₹855 in Neralakatte and ₹11.28 lakh in Bantwal Station between the January-March quarter and the April-June quarter this year.
Lack of development
Mr. Shreekara noted a substantial increase in revenue at the stations in the rural areas between the Padil-Subrahmanya Road section, indicating enhanced passenger patronage of the extended services.
Notwithstanding the contribution of substantial revenues, important stations, including Kabaka Puttur, need comprehensive development. Kaniyur Station, which serves many surrounding villages, was in dire need of passenger amenities, he said.
Rainwater splashes through the broken platform shelter sheets at Kabaka Puttur, and the coach display boards often malfunction in the station, he pointed out.
