Kota Srinivas Poojary appeals for direct Mangaluru-Tirupati flight to ease pilgrims’ travel

Udupi-Chikkamagaluru Member of Parliament Kota Srinivas Poojary has sought direct flight connectivity between Mangaluru and Tirupati so as to connect coastal Karnataka with the renowned pilgrimage centre by air.

Meeting Union Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu with Bengaluru Rural MP C. N. Manjunath, recently in New Delhi, Mr. Poojary impressed upon the Minister the immediate need to connect Mangaluru and Tirupati by air.

Thousands of pilgrims from coastal Karnataka travel to Tirumala-Tirupati daily, he noted, adding that currently, they must rely on road or rail transport, resulting in significant travel times. While there was no direct train connectivity between the coast and Tiurpati, the recently extended Kacheguda-Mangaluru bi-weekly express to Murdeshwar has addressed this issue to some extent. However, departing Murdeshwar at 3:30 pm on Wednesdays and Saturdays, the train does not reach Renigunta until 11:50 am the following day.

Udupi-Chikkamagaluru Member of Parliament Kota Srinivas Poojary recently appealed for direct flight connectivity from Mangaluru International Airport (in picture) to Tirupati in a bid to save considerable travel time for pilgrims in Mangaluru
| Photo Credit:
ANIL KUMAR SASTRY

Mr. Poojary also noted that pilgrims in the Malnad region now utilise the Shivamogga-Tirupati flight services to conduct their pilgrimage. Also, many from coastal areas travel to Shivamogga to avail the service. Several others travel by road or train via Bengaluru to reach Tirupati.

Hence, a direct flight from Mangaluru International Airport to Tirupati would address the needs of people from Kasargod to Uttara Kannada districts, the MP stated.

Positive response

A statement from Kundapura Railway Prayanikara Hitarakshana Samithi President Ganesh Puthran here noted that Mr. Naidu responded positively to the demand of Mr. Poojary. The Minister assured to conduct a traffic and revenue survey for the proposed direct flight connectivity.

If all goes well, direct flight services could commence between Mangaluru and Tirupati in about six months, Mr. Puthran said.