News and pics: Rons Bantwal

Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai (EP)

Mumbai, Feb 17: Railway Yatri Seva Sangha, Borivli, Mumbai,Kannadigara Patrakarthara Sangha, Maharastra, Karnataka Malla and Udayavani daily newspaper jointly held a Janata Adalat discussion programme led by MP Gopala Shetty at Shantidhama prayer hall at Borivli west Shimpoli Cross Road on Saturday, February 14.

Railway Sangha honorary president Virar Shanker Shetty in a welcome speech gave a brief introduction of MP Gopala Shetty. He said that the office bearers of Railway Yatri Sangha have sent letters to seven Railway ministers during the last three years but the demands are not fulfilled. “We hope that Gopal Shetty will speak to his friend, Railway minister Suresh Prabhu to
start a new service by western railways. Private tourist buses increase the fare from Mumbai to Mangaluru during the days of feasts and holidays and reduce them during monsoons. They should maintain the same rates on all the days”, he said.

Santhosh among the audience, spoke about double track on Konkan Railways. Sadashiv Karkera opined of turning the engine on Vasai road.

Jayakara D Poojary said that Gopala Shetty should make a train run from western railways to Mangaluru in order to remain in the minds of the people. Vijay Kadam said that if a train runs from Bandra from western railways to Mangaluru via Vasai, the people in Konkan region will be benefited. Goregaon Karnataka Sangha member said that if Mangaluru super fast express train
stops as Dadar it will be beneficial for the people of western railways. Arvind Rai suggested if Bandra Mangaluru train stops at Meera Road-Bayandar it will be convenient to the people in the vicinity.

Karnataka Malla editor Chandrashekar Palethady said that it is difficult for senior citizens and women along with children to go to Kurla terminus. So if there is a train from western railways Dadar or Central Railways Dadar to Mangaluru it will be convenient to all. We will start Rail Roko agitation for it and if Gopal Shetty puts some pressure on Railway minister Suresh
Prabhu, he may agree, he opined. He added that MP s from Mumbai and coastal region should discuss with the Railway minister before the budget.

Gopala Shetty said that he will cooperate to make a train run from Western railways to Mangaluru via Vasai before February 14, next year.

Association president Shimanthooru Udaya Shetty said that there was a Public Interest Litigation for a Mumbai local train from 2004. It went from the High Court to the Supreme Court and as per orders to the Railways department will be implemented,he said.

Vice president Premnath Kotian, Treasurer Rathna Shetty, Joint secretary Rajith Suvarna, advisor Simon P D Costa, former Railway zonal representative Sheela Shetty, Shakila Shetty, other office bearers Oliver D' Souza Vasai, T K Kotian and others were present.

Chief Secretary Shashikumar C Kunder thanked Shanthidhama prayer center official Vasanth Shetty, Praveen R Shetty, Petemane Prakash Shetty, Caterer Ravindra Hotel owner Sadhu Shetty, Appi Vittala Shetty of Deepak Hotel, Premnath Kotian and Rajith Suvarna who organized the meeting, office bearers of various organizations and other citizens.