Mangalore-Palakkad Intercity Train Chugs off, Minister Promises Lots More
 
Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (PS)
 
Mangalore, Nov 18: K H Muniyappa, union minister of state for railways on Friday November 18 flagged off the new Mangalore Central - Palakkad Junction Intercity Express train at Mangalore Central Railway Station.

The train will halt at Kasargod, Kanhangad, Payyanur, Kannur, Thalassery, Khallikote(calicut), Tirur, Shoranur and Ottapalam.
 
Addressing the gathering he said that Shiradi Ghat stretch is in a complete dilapidated condition and that a discussion has been held with Rajya Sabha MP Oscar Fernandes in this regard. "A proposal has been placed before the central government to concrete the entire stretch," he added.

"After the UPA government came to power, Mangalore city got 10 new trains, apart from five trains that were extended and another three trains that commute once or twice in a week were introduced," he said, and sought the support of the state government in all the railway development works. "By 2020, 23,000 new railway routes will be constructed; already there are 63,000 train routes across the nation," he said.
 
About Netravati second bridge he said it is a Rs 50-crore project and will be completed in another two months. Mangalore city-Panambur road widening project costing Rs 150 cr will be completed soon. On Bangalore-Karwar train, he said that the train will halt at Kundapur station from around November 20 and efforts will be made for a halt at Suratkal.
 
"Oscar Fernandes has suggested starting a train from Mangalore to Kundapur. Mangalore-Shravanabelagola train will operate soon. More trains between Mangalore-Mumbai will begin in the days to come," he said, and added that within two months a stakeholders' meeting will be convened to upgrade the Mangalore central railway station to international standards.
 
The city currently has two Jana Sadharana Ticket Booking Seva Counters for availing unreserved tickets, and two more will be coming up soon, he said. A new building will constructed at the cost of Rs 1.5 cr wherein a reservation counter will also be opened, he assured.
 
Mayor Praveen, presided over the programme.
 
Deputy speaker Yogish Bhat was the guest of honour. S K Raina, DRM, Southern Railway Palakkad and J N Jaganath, additional general manager, Chennai, Denis D’Silva and P V Mohan of Congress among others were also present.