Bengaluru: The decision to extend KSR Bengaluru–Kannur Express (16511/16512) to Kozhikode from Sunday has been welcomed by Kerala-bound passengers from Bengaluru but slammed by rail users in coastal Karnataka who fear more congestion on an already stretched route. As per the new schedule, the train departing from Bengaluru will reach Kannur at 10:55am and depart at 11am before heading to Kozhikode. New stops added along the extended route include Thalassery, Vadakara and Quilandi in north Kerala.Railway officials said there will be no change in timings between Bengaluru and Payyanur in both directions. The announcement has been welcomed by passengers travelling between Kerala and Bengaluru as the extension improves connectivity to Kozhikode and nearby towns. However, rail users in Mangaluru said extending an existing train beyond the city will lead to overcrowding. Kozhikode already has connectivity through an alternative route via Tamil Nadu, they said, stressing that priority should have been given to improving services for coastal Karnataka passengers.
