Over 250 people forced to take other transport to Margao
The Mangalore-Margao train which ended its journey at the Canacona KRC Station and later returned to Mangalore with Canacona as starting point instead of Margao.
Photo Credits: Kathy Fernandes
CANACONA
Confusion prevailed after the Mangalore-Margao Passenger (56640) train ended its journey at Canacona, forcing about 250 passengers to make their own arrangements to travel to Margao.
Following electrification of the Margao-Canacona route, the Mangalore-Margao passenger train had to cut short its journey at Canacona station on Friday afternoon.
About 250 passengers bound to Margao had to alight at the Canacona Station at about 1 pm on Friday, as the Mangalore-Margao passenger (56640) train ended its journey at Canacona.
The passengers, including women and children, were seen scurrying to find alternative transportations for their onward journey, as only a few rickshaws and taxis went to the station.
Many passengers were seen walking up to the NH-66 road at Nagorcem to find public transportation.
Many others preferred to walk half-a-kilometre to reach the KTC Bus-Stand, while some others walked to Char-Rasta in an effort to take buses proceeding to Margao and elsewhere.
Finding the rates quoted high to KTC Bus-Stand or Palolem, many refused to take rickshaw or taxi services and instead, preferred to walk towards Palolem beach, informed a source.
Station Master at KRC Station, Canacona informed the trains were cut-short for two days (Thursday and Friday), and a public notification was issued at respective Railway Stations, stating that the train will not proceed beyond Canacona Station.
“It was only a temporary arrangement for a maximum of 3 hours between 1 pm and 4 pm on these two days, so that necessary electrification works can be carried out between Canacona to Balli KRC route and Balli-Margao route,” said the station master.
“As this route sealing timing coincided with the Mangalore-Margao Passenger train, this train will end its journey at Canacona. Also, instead of Margao, the Canacona Station will be the starting point of this train to go to Mangalore. It is not that the Railways caused any inconvenience, but people have knowingly travelled and the train was stopped from proceeding to Margao with the full knowledge of passengers concerned.”
“Rail traffic will be normal from Saturday on the KRC route,” the Canacona Station Master added.
