Bhatkal: Coastal Karnataka’s Bhatkal railway station continues to serve as a crucial transit point, offering rail connectivity to major cities including Delhi, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Goa, Karwar, Bengaluru, Mangaluru, Kozhikode, Kochi, and Thiruvananthapuram. At present, a total of 17 regular trains halt at the station, making it a significant hub for daily commuters, traders, and long-distance passengers.

Railway authorities state that several basic amenities have been provided to ensure passenger convenience. These include drinking water facilities, toilets, waiting rooms, adequate seating arrangements on platforms, and a relatively well-maintained cleanliness system. Security is managed by the Railway Police, while local social and business organisations, along with volunteers, occasionally extend assistance during peak travel periods.

Regular passengers, particularly those engaged in trade, note that hundreds of people commute daily from Bhatkal to various parts of the country. Prominent trains halting at the station include Mangala Express, Mumbai CSMT–Mangaluru services via Bhatkal, Matsyagandha Express, Netravati Express, Okha Express, Panchaganga Express, Yesvantpur Express, Poorna Express, and Marusagar Express.

However, passengers and local stakeholders, particularly the Bhatkal Vikas Samithi (BVS), have raised several longstanding demands, highlighting the difficulties faced by business travellers. The Samithi has urged the Railways to provide halts for weekly trains such as Kochuveli–Ganganagar Express, Kochuveli–Bhavnagar Express, Thiruvananthapuram–Veraval Express, and Nagercoil–Gandhidham Express. It has also sought stoppages for the weekly Ernakulam–Pune Superfast Express, Kochuveli–Mumbai Garib Rath Superfast Express, and the tri-weekly Thiruvananthapuram–Nizamuddin Rajdhani Express. In addition, the Samithi has demanded a stop for the Bengaluru–Karwar Vande Bharat Express at Bhatkal station.

BVS president Krishnanand V. Prabhu said that a memorandum in this regard has already been submitted to Uttara Kannada MP Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri.

Abdul Raqeeb M.J. Nadvi, General Secretary of the local social organisation Majlis Islah wa Tanzeem, observed that while basic facilities exist, a major shortcoming is the lack of adequate roofing on the platform. “Only a limited portion of the platform is covered, forcing passengers to endure rain, especially during the monsoon,” he said, urging authorities to extend roofing across the entire platform.

President of Bhatkal Taluka Citizens’ Forum, Satish Kumar Naik, highlighted transport issues between the railway station and the town. “There is no reliable public transport from the station to the bus stand or other parts of the town,” he said, urging the concerned authorities to address the issue.

Social worker Manju Naik pointed to accessibility concerns, particularly for senior citizens. “The foot overbridge connecting platforms is difficult for elderly passengers to use. Installation of escalators or lifts, as seen in major stations, is essential,” he said.

Another social activist, Javed Mukri, drew attention to the poor condition of the road leading to the railway station. “The approach road is in a highly dilapidated state, and even the entrance area reflects neglect. Public representatives must take immediate steps to repair it,” he said.

Former Anjuman principal A.M. Mulla raised concerns regarding ticketing and onboard safety. He noted that Tatkal tickets are often unavailable due to heavy demand, making it difficult for passengers to secure reservations at short notice. He also stressed the need to upgrade train door-locking systems, pointing out that in some cases, doors open unexpectedly due to air pressure, posing a serious safety risk. Additionally, he called for improved hygiene standards in onboard food supply.

Additional Concerns Raised by Passengers:

Apart from the above, passengers and daily commuters have highlighted several other issues requiring urgent attention. These include inadequate lighting in certain areas of the railway platform, the absence of digital display boards, and the lack of dedicated facilities for differently-abled passengers such as ramps and wheelchairs.

Despite these challenges, Bhatkal railway station remains a lifeline for the region. Commuters say that with targeted infrastructure upgrades and improved civic coordination, the station has the potential to evolve into a more efficient and passenger-friendly transit hub along the Konkan Railway route.

Bad Condition of Bhatkal Railway Approach Road:

The main road connecting the town to Bhatkal railway station has deteriorated badly, turning into a stretch filled with potholes and causing daily hardship for passengers and motorists.

Commuters say the potholes have widened over time, making it difficult for two-wheelers, auto-rickshaws, and cars to pass. “Even while rushing to catch a train, these potholes create serious inconvenience,” passengers complained.

The situation has become equally difficult for pedestrians, while during the monsoon, the potholes get filled with water, increasing the risk of accidents, locals said.

Despite being a key access road to the railway station, residents allege that no attention has been paid to its repair. They have urged the authorities to take immediate steps to fix the road.

Citizens have also appealed to the Railway Department to intervene and address the issue at the earliest.