Rail enthusiasts and civic groups are ramping up their advocacy for extending the Yeshwantpur–Murudeshwar Express (Train Nos. 16585/16586) to Vasco Da Gama in Goa via Mysuru, a move they say will strengthen connectivity between two major tourist destinations, Mysuru and Goa, while restoring a lost rail link for Karnataka's interior regions.

The proposed extension would add roughly 180 kilometres to the current route and pass through significant towns including Mandya, Ramanagara, and parts of Uttara Kannada. Advocates argue that this is a practical, cost-effective move that would not require a new train rake. Moreover, it would reinstate a crucial direct connection between Mysuru and Uttara Kannada, which has been missing since the cancellation of the Karwar–Bengaluru overnight express via Mysuru.

The proposal has gained traction with positive responses reportedly received from both South Western Railway (SWR) and Konkan Railway. In April 2024, the Inter Railway Time Table Coordination (IRTTC) Committee, which met in Jaipur, had also reportedly approved the extension in principle. Mysuru Member of Parliament Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar personally raised the matter with Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw in November 2024, emphasising broad local support and regional demand.

An official reply to a Right to Information (RTI) request dated July 10, 2025, confirmed that the concerned zonal railways have conveyed their no-objection to the extension. However, the final green light from the Railway Board remains pending as of this report.

Citizen groups stress that this is not merely a transportation issue but a vital step toward integrating Karnataka's hinterland with Goa's coastal economy. "The proposal holds immense promise—not only for tourism but also for daily commuters, students, and small traders," said a Mysuru Rail Users Forum spokesperson. They also pointed to the now-defunct Mysuru–Goa flight, which operated with over 90% occupancy, as evidence of the untapped demand for direct connectivity between the two cities.

Efforts are ongoing to garner further political and public support to expedite Railway Board approval. Stakeholders remain cautiously optimistic, though the continued delay is becoming a growing concern among local representatives and advocacy groups.

Sources: South Western Railway updates, RTI response dated July 10, 2025, MP Yaduveer Wadiyar's official communication, IRTTC Jaipur 2024 proceedings.