Daijiworld Media Network—Udupi (NM)

Udupi, March 11: “If the proposed extension of Bengaluru (Yashvanthpur)-Mangalore night train to Karwar is not passed in the next railway budget, we will appeal the voters to boycott the Udupi- Chikmagalur Lok Sabha elections,” warned RL Dais, president, Railway Yatri Sangha, Udupi, in the press meet.

Speaking to media persons on Saturday, he lamented that from the past three years the association has been fighting for the extension of the Bengaluru-Mangalore night train to Karwar, but their pleas have gone unheard. “Even after the constant fight since December 28, 2007, the railway route was extended to Kannur in 2007 instead of Karwar,” he said.

“Though the Bengaluru-Mangalore day train was extended to Karwar, it is not of much use to the coastal people and the train which was extended to Kannur incurs Rs 2 lac loss every day. Even when the court ordered extension of the day train to Karwar, the Railway department has not obliged to its order,” Dais complained.

“In the next railway budget due on Wednesday March 14, some of the compartments in the Yashvanthpur-Mangalore night train must be extended to Karwar. If this is not done, then the Yathri Sangha will appeal to the voters to boycott the next elections. We will also request to voters to vote for a person who works for the betterment of the society,” he said.

“If nothing works, then on Monday March 19, we will stage a ‘Rail Roko’ protest at Udupi Railway station,” warned Dais.

Rajiv Gaonkar, vice-president of West Karavali Railway Samithi, S S Thonse, Ramachandra Acharya, and DYCI member Suresh Kallaga were also present at the press meet.