Direct train service approved from Udupi-Kundapura to Tirupati

Mangalore Today News Network

Kundapura, October 9, 2024: Residents of Udupi and Kundapura have long sought a direct train to the pilgrimage town of Tirupati, and their request has finally been granted. In response to a plea from MP Kota Srinivas Poojary, the Ministry of Railways has approved the extension of the Kachiguda-Mangaluru train (12789/12790) to Murudeshwar, enhancing connectivity to Hyderabad.

This new service will enable devotees from Udupi and Kundapura to travel directly to Tirupati via Renigunta station. The train, which operates twice a week between Kachiguda and Mangaluru, will now include stops at Udupi and Kundapura on its route to Murudeshwar.

Train Schedule

The train will depart from Murudeshwar at 3:20 PM on Wednesdays and Saturdays, arriving in Kundapura at 4:40 PM, Mangaluru at 8 PM, Renigunta (Tirupati) at 11:45 AM the following day, and Kachiguda (Hyderabad) at 6 PM. The return trip will leave Kachiguda at 6 AM, reaching Renigunta at 5 PM, Mangaluru at 9:30 AM the next day, Kundapura at 11:59 AM, and Murudeshwar at 2 PM.

This service now provides direct rail connectivity from towns like Baindur, Kundapura, and Udupi to Hyderabad, passing through key stations such as Coimbatore, Tirupati, and Done Junction (near Mantralayam).

A Blessing for Devotees

Many devotees from the coastal regions travel to Tirupati, and until now, the train service only reached Mangaluru. This extension significantly benefits them.

Connecting Pilgrimage Sites

With this new rail extension, devotees gain direct access to several important pilgrimage sites, including Udupi Sri Krishna Matha, Kollur Sri Mookambika Temple, and Murudeshwar, in addition to Tirupati. The Coastal Railway has achieved this extension in record time, thanks to the efforts of MP Kota Srinivas Poojary.

"For years, we have been demanding a direct train between Tirupati and the coastal region. This long-standing need has now been met, along with improved connectivity to Hyderabad. I thank Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw for making this possible," said Kota Srinivas Poojary.

Ganesh Puthran, President of the Kundapura Railu Pra. Hi. Samiti, added, "Our decades-long demand for a direct train between Tirupati and the coastal region has finally been fulfilled. We had requested a weekly service, but the twice-weekly extension is a welcome development."