Silvester D’ Souza

Daijiworld Media Network – Kundapura (EP)

Kundapura, Oct 10: “There are three railway tracks and necessary facilities for express train to stop at Senapura railway station here. Yet the train does not stop here. A halt will benefit the people of 24 villages here and help  travellers of Karwar, Goa, Rathnagiri, Mumbai, Hassan, Mysuru, Bengaluru and Kerala state. The railways will also gain by the stop here,” said Horata Samithi convener Rajiv Padukone.

He was addressing a mass protest rally held under the leadership of Horata Samithi urging for a halt of express trains at Senapura station.

“Local tourism and religious centres will be developed by the halt of the express train at Senapura. We will hold protests until the halt is introduced. We will hold indefinite protests if the government and the railways does not respond to our pleas,” he said.

Journalist John D’ Souza said that it is inevitable to demand for the halt. “We will go ahead in the leadership of people 's representatives. Technical protests will be suitable,” he said.

Former member of taluk panchayat, Kenadi Pereira, religious leader Suresh Kallagar, Kenchanoor Somashekar Shetty, former Mandala chief, Arun Kumar Shetty, Varahaswamy temple managing committee president, Sathish M Nayaka Maravanthe, villagers from 24 villages and Horata Samithi members were present.

Head of the Horata Samithi Philip D’Silva gave an introduction and welcomed. Rajesh Padukone proposed the vote of thanks. Journalist Subrahmanya Padukone compered the programme.

A request for the halt was handed over to the regional railway manager, Konkan Railway corporation Shirvada, Karwar in the presence of people from 24 villages.