Chikkamagaluru: In response to a long-standing demand of the people of Chikkamagaluru district, railway board has approved a new train service between Tirupati and Chikkamagaluru. The exact date for the service will be announced soon by railways.This 22-coach Chikkamagaluru-Bengaluru-Tirupati Express, which will be a weekly service, will benefit passengers from Chikkamagaluru and Tumakuru districts — particularly those who wish to visit Tirupati.The train (No. 17423) will leave Tirupati on Thursday at 9 pm and arrive in Chikkamagaluru on Friday at 10.30 am. The return train (No. 17424) will depart from Chikkamagaluru on Friday at 5.30 pm and reach Tirupati on Saturday at 7.40 am.It will stop at Sakharayapatna, Bisle Halli, Kadur, Birur, Devanur, Arsikere, Tiptur, Tumakuru, Chikkabanavara, Sir M. Visvesvaraya Railway Station Bengaluru, KR Puram, Whitefield, Bangarapet, Kuppam, Jolarpettai, Katpadi, Chittoor, and Pakala.The introduction of this new service has been welcomed by passengers from Tumakuru and Chikkamagaluru. They have thanked minister of state for railways, V. Somanna, for responding to their requests. MP Kota Srinivas Poojari was also instrumental in getting this service approved by the railways. Poojari thanked railways minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and Somanna for making this train service a reality.
