Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru

Mangaluru, Apr 13: The much-anticipated Vande Bharat sleeper trains are expected to commence operations within the next couple of months, and one of them will be allotted to Mangaluru, Union Minister of State for Railways V Somanna announced.

He was speaking after flagging off the extension of the Mangaluru Central–Kabaka Puttur–Mangaluru Central passenger train up to Subrahmanya Road station, held at the Mangaluru Central railway station on Saturday.

Somanna said instructions have already been issued to resolve local level crossing issues. Measures will be taken to hold quarterly review meetings with elected representatives and the DRM (Divisional Railway Manager) team. The central government will also provide funds for constructing overpasses and underpasses, he added.

Kavach system to cover 1,800 km in Karnataka

To enhance rail safety, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has introduced the 'Kavach' protection system. It will be implemented over 10,000 km of railway lines across the country, with 1,800 km in Karnataka expected to come under this system within the next 18 months, Somanna said.

He also mentioned that discussions have taken place with Union Minister Nitin Gadkari regarding a joint railway-road project between Sakleshpura and Kukke worth Rs 2,000 crore. A tunnel project modeled after the Jammu and Kashmir region is also under consideration.

Kannada given priority in Railway recruitment exams

Somanna added that he had appealed to the Prime Minister to allow candidates to write railway recruitment board exams in Kannada. The approval has now been granted, benefiting thousands of Kannada-speaking aspirants.