Shifting the route of the overnight SMC-MAQ/Karwar train from via MYS to via Shravanbelgola is not going to save 3-4 hours as reported. It is because the main speed breaker to the train is the Hasan-Manglore line. It may save about 2 hours as clearly indicated below.
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* part-1 * Hasan-Manglore -189 kms- 6:45 hrs, 28kmph avg speed-MAIN PROBLEM REMAINS UNSOLVED
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part-2A * SBC-MYS-Hasan- 259 kms- 4:50 hrs, 54kmph
*part-2B * SBC-ASK-Hasan- 207 kms- 3:53 hrs, 53kmph
*part-2C *SBC-Hasan new- 166kms- 2:50 hrs- 58kmph (expected avg speed on new line)
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SBC-MYS- MAQ- 447kms- 11:45hrs- 38kmph
SBC-ASK- MAQ- 390kms- 10:40hrs- 37kmph
SBC-Newline-MAQ-355kms-9:35hrs- 37kmph
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Solution to increasing speed and reducing journey time lies in solving the problem of Hasan-Manglore section. Need of the hour is to improve the track layout to permit higher speeds on the section. The doubling, whenever taken have to adopt diversions from existing alignment so as to have shorter, straighter, higher permissible route which could halve the journey time from current 6:45 hrs to 3:30-4:00 hrs.
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The root cause of the problem lies in the poor quality of gauge conversion which was done at break neck speed to fulfill the political agenda (of the then RM) to complete GC of all MG routes of Karnataka within 5 years. Hence proper straightening of the old MG route and other necessary modifications to Permanent way to fit BG standards was not done, which could have delayed the project by many years, and the job was hurriedly completed. Result is before as, that the converted route is not serving the desired purpose. Today all the GCs are being done as per technical requirements, a a result the section capacity of routes have got enhanced and trains are giving good avg speeds as well.