Mangaluru-Madgaon Express Special to run as unreserved passenger train from March 1; Fares reduced
Mangaluru: The Mangaluru Central-Madgaon-Mangaluru Central Express Special (Train No. 56616/56615) will operate as a fully unreserved passenger train from Saturday, March 1, 2025.
With this change, ticket prices will drop by nearly 40 percent, providing relief to commuters. Statements from Konkan Railway Corporation Ltd., and the Southern Railway here said both the services would run as unreserved passenger services from March 1, as reported by The Hindu.
One second sitting reserved coach on Train No. 56616/615 would get converted as an unreserved coach thereby making all the 18 coaches as unreserved one.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, several low-cost passenger trains were discontinued. Some were later reintroduced as express specials but with express train fares, making travel expensive for daily commuters.
In response to public demand, railways have gradually reinstated some passenger trains.
With the reclassification of the train, ticket prices will see a significant reduction, making travel more affordable for passengers, added The Hindu. While the fare was Rs 150 from Mangaluru Central to Madgaon till February 28, it will become Rs 85. Similarly, Mangaluru-Karwar fare will reduce from Rs 125 to Rs 75. Additionally, the cost for Mangaluru to Bhatkal will decrease from Rs 75 to Rs 45, Mangaluru to Kundapura from Rs 60 to Rs 30, and Mangaluru to Udupi from Rs 45 to Rs 25.
Train No. 56616 departs Mangaluru Central at 5:30 a.m. to reach Madgaon at 1:30 p.m. while Train No. 56615 leaves Madgaon at 1:50 p.m. to reach Mangaluru Central at 11:05 p.m.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
ED raids Kolkata Police deputy commissioner, businessman in PMLA probe
Kolkata (PTI): The Enforcement Directorate on Sunday conducted raids at the premises of Kolkata Police Deputy Commissioner Shantanu Sinha Biswas and a local businessman as part of a money laundering probe against an alleged criminal and his linked syndicate in the poll-bound state, officials said.
Two premises of Biswas, including his residence in Ballygunge area and one location of the businessman named Joy Kamdar, Managing Director of a company named Sun Enterprise, have been raided under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
Kamdar has been taken by the officials to the local ED office for questioning. Biswas, chief coordinator and nodal officer of the West Bengal and Kolkata Police welfare committee, was not present at his premises, they said.
The action is linked to a money laundering case against an alleged local criminal named Biswajit Podder alias Sona Pappu, who is booked in multiple cases on charges of attempted murder and extortion.
The federal probe agency had conducted the first round of searches in this case on April 1.
The ED had then seized cash of Rs 1.47 crore apart from gold jewellery and silver valued at Rs 67.64 lakh and a country-made revolver from some premises that were searched.
The probe stems from a Kolkata Police FIR against against Podder for his alleged involvement in rioting, attempt to murder, criminal conspiracy and Arms Act violations. The accused, including Podder, were engaged in organised criminal syndicate activities in the state of West Bengal and generated funds illegally by way of syndicate operations, the ED said in a statement on April 9.
Podder is also wanted by the police in a case of violence in Kankulia road near Golpark of Kolkata and is currently on the run.
The ED has issued summons to Podder but he has failed to join the investigation so far, according to the agency.
West Bengal will have a two phase poll on April 23 and April 29.
