Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (DV)

Mangaluru, Jul 8: MP Nalin Kumar Kateel on Friday July 8 inaugurated two electric escalators at Mangaluru Central Railway Station here.

After inaugurating the escalators, Nalin Kumar Kateel speaking to media persons said, "The escalators have been installed at a cost of Rs 2 crore to facilitate passengers to move from the main entrance to platform numbers 2 and 3. Several demands of Phalgat division have been met, especially the Bajal-Padil railway underbridge. Work on Jeppu-Kudpadi underbridge has begun. Railway underpass near Padil is in the completion stage."

He further explained, "There are also demands for new trains. After the new Hassan-Bengaluru line gets commissioned, Mangaluru-Bengaluru train will pass through Shravanabelagola which will help reduce the distance. As there is demand for more trains in the coastal region, there is a track for more number of trains to operate between Mangaluru-Bengaluru via the Shiradi Ghat stretch between Kukke Subrahmanya road and Sakleshpur."

Regarding low patronage for Mangaluru-Madgaon Intercity Express to Mumbai he said, "The issue is before the railway ministry. The ministry is thinking of rescheduling or re-routing Kasargod-Byndoor stretch. There is demand to run the service between Kukke Subrahmanya and Byndoor to facilitate pilgrims."

On the long pending demand for a separate Mangaluru division, he said the issue has been brought to the notice of the railway minister Suresh Babu. "There are problems, one is that Mangaluru Central Railway functions under three dvisions - Konkan Railway (KRCL), South Western Railway (SWR) and Southern Railway. Southern Railway (Palghat) has just 13 km rail road in Karnataka. Technically, Mangaluru division cannot be formed under KRCL. There are two options - either creation of a new division under SWR or bringing Mangaluru region under SWR. Pressure is being put the government and efforts are on," he explained.

Regarding electrification of the railway track, divisional railway manager, Palakkad, Naresh Lalwani said, "Inspection has been conducted upto Cheruvathur. From Cheruvathur to Mangaluru, we have set next March as the target. It is a distance of about 80 km."

DySP Ganapati suicide: 'Arrest or face protest', warns MP Nalin

To a question on DySP Ganapati's suicide, Nalin Kateel said, "Ganapati was a sincere officer. In the entire state this is the fourth incident (of alleged harassment to police). This shows the extent to which political pressure is put on officers. Ever since the Congress government came to power, officers have been unable to perform their tasks. This political pressure led Ganapati to take this drastic step.

"The government should arrest the people named by Ganapati. Political pressure motivated suicide, hence arrest must be made. What is the government doing? The administration should not put pressure on the officers, instead officers should be appreciated. It is the responsibility of the ministers. Ganapati worked very sincerely in many parts of the district. People have appreciated his work. If the arrest is not done immediately or resignation of those mentioned carried out, BJP will protest by holding a Dakshina Kannada bandh. Moreover, till date, compensation has not been granted to the kin of inspector Mallikarjuna Bande who was killed," he said.

"In D K Ravi's case, the inquiry took a twist. The government is asleep and works irresponsibly. If there is no protection for a police officer how can the government protect common people? The matter will be taken up in the Lok Sabha by all the MPs of Karnataka and the issue will be raised by all our MLAs in the Assembly. Let the CM bring out the truth. If there is no arrest in the case within two days, BJP will go ahead with its protest," Kateel warned.