Mounesh Vishwakarma

Daijiworld Media Network - Bantwal

Bantwal, May 23: A renewed push for long-pending railway infrastructure works in the coastal district came into focus on Friday as Bantwal MLA Rajesh Naik U. submitted a detailed memorandum to union minister of state for railways V Somanna, urging urgent clearance and execution of several unresolved railway development projects in the Bantwal Assembly constituency.

The memorandum, handed over during the minister’s visit to the MLA’s residence, highlighted a series of long-standing public demands related to railway connectivity, safety infrastructure, and commuter convenience, which have reportedly remained pending for several years.

On arrival, the minister was warmly received by the MLA with a bouquet and shawl, in the presence of MP Captain Brijesh Chowta and MLAs Dr Y Bharath Shetty and Bhagirathi Murulya, along with other local leaders.

The Union Minister, who was in Mangaluru for a private engagement, later visited Gurupura Jangama Mutt, where he sought blessings from Sri Rudramuni Swamiji. He then proceeded to Vajradhari Mutt, offering prayers to Sri Rajasekharananda Swamiji and also reviewing ongoing renovation and redevelopment works at the mutt.

Subsequently, the minister visited Odoor Farms at Ganjimutt, owned by the MLA, where discussions were held with elected representatives and party leaders on district development priorities and organisational matters. The meeting also included deliberations on preparations for upcoming gram panchayat elections, local body polls, and the next Assembly elections.

During the interaction, MLA Naik reiterated that several railway projects in Bantwal have remained stalled for years and stressed the need for their prioritised execution in view of public hardship and rising transport demands.

Key demands submitted in the memorandum include:

• Construction of a railway bridge connecting Ajjibettu School area with the Daipala link road
• Construction of an underpass near Kumbhodari Temple to connect the temple area with Kulala Bhavan access road
• Development of access roads near the Hindu crematorium and railway residential quarters close to B. Mood Railway Station
• Construction of an underpass at Devasy–Kudremar in Golthamajalu village to improve cross-rail connectivity
• Construction of a footbridge near Neralakatte Railway Station in Nettamudnur village for safe movement of schoolchildren and the public
• Introduction of stoppage for Mangaluru–Bengaluru trains at Neralakatte Railway Station to improve regional connectivity

A large number of political leaders and party functionaries were present during the visit, including BJP district president Satish Kumpala, district general secretary Pooja Pai, former Fisheries Corporation chairman Nithin Kumar, former mayor Kavitha Sanil, former ZP member Amit Shetty (Hassan district), Bantwal BJP president Chennappa R Kotian, general secretary Shivaprasad Shetty, district secretary Dinesh Amtur, SCADS president Ravindra Kambali, district vice-president Devappa Poojary, KMF director Nandaram Rai, Sohan Adhikari, former BOUD president Devdas Shetty (Bantwal), Sachin Adapa, former grama panchayat member Ganesh Rai Mani, BJP media coordinator Purushottam Shetty (Vamadapadavu), and others.