Dakshina Kannada Member of Parliament Captain Brijesh Chowta has appealed to Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw to introduce a direct train between Mangaluru and Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh, and rename Bengaluru-Mangaluru-Kannur Express after late Rani Abbakka.

In a letter to the Minister on July 18, Capt. Chowta said that demand for such a train from the people of coastal and Malnad regions of Karnataka is growing.

The Member of Parliament stated: “Mangaluru and the wider region of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi have a rich cultural heritage deeply rooted in Sanatana traditions. The reverence for Bhagwan Sri Ram, reflected in local bhajans, temples, and age-old customs, binds this region to Ayodhya at a civilizational level. A direct train between these two cities would not only serve the growing travel needs, but also emerge as a symbolic cultural corridor, beautifully showcasing the ancient bonds between southern and northern India, as envisioned by Prime Minister, Narendra Modi.”

He said, in the absence of a direct train between the two cities, passengers are forced to undertake long and inconvenient journeys via Bengaluru, or other junctions, often spending over 40 hours on travel.

“… A weekly or bi-weekly direct train between Mangaluru and Ayodhya, via Hassan, Arsikere, and Ballari, or via the Konkan Railway route — Madgaon, Kalyan, and Nagpur — will greatly promote spiritual tourism, cultural exchange, and ease travel for citizens from coastal Karnataka,” states the letter.

Request to rename train

In another letter to the Minister on the same day, the Member of Parliament requested Mr. Vaishnaw to rename Train Nos. 16511/16512 (Bengaluru-Mangaluru-Kannur) as ‘Rani Abakka Express’, in honour of one of India’s earliest and fiercest freedom-fighters Rani Abbakka of Ullal.

“Her legacy continues to inspire generations across coastal Karnataka and beyond,” the letter stated.

Capt. Chowta stated: “This year marks the 500th birth anniversary of Rani Abakka, and it presents a fitting moment to pay tribute to her indomitable courage and patriotism. As the queen of Ullal in the 16th century, Rani Abakka led a valiant resistance against Portuguese colonial forces, and defended the sovereignty of her land with unmatched bravery. She is widely regarded as one of the first Indian women freedom-fighters to wage a war against foreign invaders.”

The letter added: “Rani Abakka’s defiance against the Portuguese, her refusal to submit to colonial demands, and her strategic alliances with neighbouring rulers marked her as a visionary leader. Her resistance lasted for decades, and her story is a proud chapter in our nation’s history, especially for the people of Mangaluru and the broader Tulu Nadu region, who revere her as a symbol of courage, independence, and cultural pride.”

He said that renaming Bengaluru-Mangaluru-Kannur Express would be a meaningful and symbolic tribute to her legacy as a national hero, whose contributions deserve broader recognition.