Rail users forum launches petition demanding restart of Mangaluru Central- Katra Navyug Express
Mangaluru: The Dakshina Kannada District Railway Users Forum has launched a petition campaign demanding the restoration of the Mangaluru Central–Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra Navyug Express (Train No. 16687/88), the only direct train linking Mangaluru to Jammu & Kashmir. The train service, which was suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic, has not been reinstated, leaving lakhs of passengers from Coastal Karnataka and other parts of South India without direct rail access to North India.
The Forum has urged the Indian Railways to restart the service with a new route via Hassan, Hubballi, Belagavi, Miraj, and Pune. They argue this will significantly benefit students, pilgrims, defence personnel, traders, and the general public.
Earlier, Navyug Express functioned as a slip coach service, with 12 coaches originating from Mangaluru that joined another rake from Tirunelveli to form the complete train. However, post-COVID, only the Tirunelveli-Katra section was retained, and the Mangaluru-originating portion was discontinued. The Railways claimed the Mangaluru leg was merely a “slip” and dropped it altogether—an explanation that the Forum has condemned as unfair.
Anil Hegde, president of the Railway Users Forum, said, “The Navyug Express previously ran through Kerala, which increased travel time. Diverting it via Hassan and Arsikere will be more efficient. Moreover, with the cancellation of the Mangaluru–Miraj Mahalakshmi Express, there is a connectivity gap that the Navyug Express can fill.”
He added that this revised route would also provide long-awaited direct connectivity for pilgrims visiting religious sites like Subrahmanya and Dharmasthala. “Many devotees travel from North India to these sites, but there is currently no direct train service. This train will also serve the large North Indian workforce residing in Puttur, Subrahmanya, and Bantwal,” Hegde explained.
Additionally, the proposal seeks to offer an alternative link to Pune and Delhi from Mangaluru, thereby improving regional rail accessibility. Hegde pointed out that while trains like the Ernakulam–Pune Poorna Express and Ernakulam–Pune Express take different routes, the Navyug Express, if restored via the proposed alignment, would benefit passengers in Hassan, Arsikere, and Puttur en route to Pune.
Separate railway division
The Forum president further emphasized the need to upgrade Mangaluru into an independent railway division. “Mangaluru has the infrastructure and passenger traffic to justify division status. If implemented, it would resolve several long-pending local issues, including language barriers with Malayalam-speaking staff at local stations,” Hegde said.
While acknowledging recent improvements at Mangaluru railway stations, he called for more services connecting Mangaluru to other regions of Karnataka and the rest of India.
Hegde also stated that there have been a lot of developments in Mangaluru stations, however he demanded that more services should start between Mangaluru and the rest parts of Karnataka. He proposed that new trains be introduced on the Mangaluru–Ahmedabad, Mangaluru–Delhi, and Mangaluru–Bandra Terminus routes.
The Forum has appealed to the public to support their petition, which can be signed online at: https://chng.it/ZHyVGkdqFs.
A vital link between Coastal Karnataka and North India Tr No. 16687/88 Mangaluru Central–Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra Navyug Express was unfairly cancelled.
— Dakshina Kannada District Railway Users (@dkdistrictrail) June 8, 2025
This prestigious long-distance train connected our region to Jammu & Kashmir. We now demand its immediate revival via… pic.twitter.com/wsxBhcWpuy
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New Zealand women's captain Sophie Devine to retire from ODIs after World Cup
Auckland, Jun 17 (PTI): New Zealand women's team captain and prolific all-rounder Sophie Devine will retire from the ODIs after the World Cup in India and Sri Lanka later this year.
The 35-year-old is widely regarded as one of the most prolific all-rounders in women's cricket, having amassed 3990 runs from 152 ODIs at an average of 31.66 with the help of eight centuries. She has also scored 3431 runs from 146 T20Is with one century.
She has also taken 107 and 119 wickets in the ODIs and T20Is respectively. She, however, has not played in any Test.
"It feels like the right time for me to start stepping away. I feel very fortunate to have NZC’s support in finding a solution that means I can still give to the WHITE FERNS," said Devine in a statement issued by New Zealand Cricket on Tuesday.
Devine's statement came ahead of the announcement of the 17 centrally contracted players by New Zealand Cricket (NZC) on Wednesday. She will remain available for T20I cricket on a "casual playing arrangement" but will not be centrally contracted.
"It's important that everyone knows I'm focused and dedicated to giving this group everything I can before I step away. I'm really excited by where this young group’s going and I'm looking forward to playing my part in the next six to nine months."
Her decision to retire after the ODI World Cup in India and Sri Lanka from September 30 to November 2 came after Devine took a break from cricket to prioritise her mental health in January. She will lead the team in the ODI World Cup in September.
Devine was permanent captain of the White Ferns in 2020, and has since led the team to new heights, including a bronze medal at the Commonwealth Games in 2022 and a maiden ICC Women's T20 World Cup victory last year.
NZC's head of women's high performance Liz Green said Devine had the organisation's full support.
"Sophie's given nearly 20 years of service to the White Ferns and NZC is fully supportive of her quest to find more balance at this stage in her career," Green said.
"We're pleased to be able to reach an agreement that means she can continue to be involved with the White Ferns on a case-by-case basis, whilst opening up the opportunity for another player to be contracted in full."
NZC Chief Executive Scott Weenink praised Devine’s contribution to the White Ferns.
"Sophie has been an extraordinary leader and ambassador for the WHITE FERNS. Supporting her move to a casual playing agreement will allow her to continue contributing to the WHITE FERNS environment," he said.
The White Ferns are scheduled to begin their World Cup campaign against seven-time champions Australia on October 1 in Indore.
