Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (SP)

Mangalore, Aug 1: A delegation of MPs from the state was given a conditional assurance by railway minister Mamata Banerjee about the commencement of the day-train service to Bangalore. She said, the services would be commenced, subject to the availability of rakes, the shortage of which is presently being experienced. She also added that she would discuss with the department officials about withholding  of the plan to extend Bangalore-Mangalore train to Kannur and extending the proposed  Mumbai-Karwar super fast train to Mangalore.

It may be recalled, that some railway officers and political leaders  had in the past, said that the day-train to Bangalore would be a reality by August 15.

The assurance was given by the minister to a delegation comprising of MPs Anant Kumar Hegde and Nalin Kumar Kateel, state government's Delhi representative Dhananjay Kumar, Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Srinivas Kamat and director Yatiraj Shetty, besides Jagannath Shetty of National Organization of Bank Workers, that met her at New Delhi on Thursday July 30.

It is said, she indirectly concurred with the view that the train extension to Kannur was done for political reasons. She said she would discuss the issue with the chairman of the Railway Board and sounded firm about the cancellation of this extension.

The delegation that was to meet Banerjee on July 28, met her on Thursday, as she was not in station that day.