Difficult to Upgrade Mangalore Railway to International Standards: Muniyappa

Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (DV)

Mangalore, Oct 15: "It is difficult to upgrade Mangalore railway station to world class standards due to unavailability of land. To upgrade to international status the station requires nearly 5 acres of land. If the state government can provide the land, the railway department is ready to make either Kankanady or Central railway station world class," said union minister for railways K H Muniyappa.

He was addressing a press meet here on Monday October 15, he said that decision on making Mangalore and Gulbarga as divisions has not been taken yet, but it may happen soon.

Trains between Kadur and Chikmagalur, White Field and Kolar will begin within three months, he said.

"A survey has been done for the construction of railway track between Mysore and Kushalanagar. From 2004 onward till the present nearly 1,500 km of railway lines have been built. Further plans to extend the railroad line by 1,500 km, to make a total 3,000 km rail track in the state will be considered. Totally 90 trains are running actively in the state," he informed.

Construction of railway line between Hubli and Ankola, Thaleguppa and Honnavara possess threat to the environment. In this regard, the Indian Institute of Science has come forward with a solution for construction of tunnels.
 
Mangalore-Bangalore train has been extended to Karwar. The railway department is functioning significantly without any instance of corruption in the department, he said.   
 
He further said that the UPA has provided various facilities to the citizens. Government project MGNREGA comprises 623 programmes to the citizens, but unfortunately the allotted funds are being misused. Further developmental works with regard to drinking water, well, harvesting needs to be undertaken.

MLA Ramanatha Rai, former MLA Vinaykumar Sorake, MLA U T Khader were present.