PANAJI
Raising concerns over inadequate rail connectivity between Goa and Kerala, Rajya Sabha MP Sadanand Shet Tanavade on Tuesday urged the Centre to extend the Vande Bharat Express service up to Kozhikode, citing hardship faced by passengers due to the absence of a direct train.
Speaking during Zero Hour in the Rajya Sabha, Tanavade pointed out that the Vande Bharat Express (Train Nos. 20645/20646) currently operates only between Madgaon and Mangaluru, forcing passengers travelling further into Kerala to change trains. He said this often results in long waiting periods and difficulty in securing connecting tickets, causing inconvenience to regular commuters, senior citizens and tourists.
While noting that the existing Madgaon-Mangaluru service is functioning well, the MP said it falls short of meeting the growing demand of passengers travelling to key destinations in Kerala, particularly Kozhikode, a major commercial hub.
Highlighting the strong tourism and people-to-people links between the two states, Tanavade said Goa and Kerala are among the country’s top tourist destinations, with many domestic and international visitors covering both states in a single trip. A direct, comfortable rail service would significantly boost tourism, he said.
He also underlined that a large number of people travel between Goa and Kerala for employment, education, medical treatment and family reasons, strengthening socio-economic ties between the states.
Tanavade urged the government to consider extending the Vande Bharat Express beyond Mangaluru to Kozhikode in the larger public interest, stating that the move would ensure seamless west coast connectivity and benefit thousands of passengers commuting regularly between Goa and Kerala.
