The Hindu
Mangalore, Jan 29: Union Minister for Law and Justice M. Veerappa Moily has urged the Railway Ministry to introduce five new trains in the State in the next Railway budget.
The list of new trains was presented in an 11-point memorandum submitted by Mr. Moily during a meeting with Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday, said an official release.
The trains sought are: Bijapur-Mangalore via Gadag-Arasikere-Hassan-Sakleshpur route, Solapur-Mangalore (with AC coaches), Bangalore-Goa via Mangalore-Udupi-Karwar, Mumbai Chatrpati Shivaji Terminus-Mangalore through the Konkan Railway Sector, and a daily train between Bangalore and Nelamangala. Mr. Moily said in the memorandum that the there was a “huge public demand” for trains on Bijapur-Sakleshpur via Mangalore and Sholapur-Mangalore routes. He has contended that the introduction of these trains would “improve hinterland connectivity from the major (sea) port at Mangalore”. He has stated that a train between Bangalore and Goa via Mangalore “will provide connectivity to various places of historical and tourist importance.” And the Mumbai-Mangalore train was important to Udupi and Mangalore as there was “at least one member from each family living in Mumbai and its suburbs”. Taking note of the vociferous protests in Mangalore over the extension of the Bangalore-Mangalore night train (6517/6518) to Kannur (Kerala), he has suggested that the same train be diverted to Karwar instead.
He has demanded that the frequency of the day train to Bangalore be increased from the present three days a week to daily and extended to Karwar. Mr. Moily has demanded that the five railway stations in the State be included in the model railway station project of the Union Government.
Under this project, between 40 and 50 stations in the country will be selected for a thorough overhauling and upgrading them with all amenities.
The railway stations to be included in the project are: Yelahanka (because of its recent inclusion into the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike and its proximity to the Bangalore International Airport); Devanahalli, because of the new track extensions coming up there and because of its proximity to the BIA; Chickballapur, since it is the headquarter of the newly created district; Gowribidnur, since it is an important junction; and Doddaballapur for being an up and coming industrial hub.
The memorandum seeks the construction of new railway lines to connect Ankola with Hubli, Hospet-Hubli-Londa-Vasco-da-Gama, and Krishnarajanagar -Kushalnagar. He has urged the Centre to release adequate funds for the conversion of the Kolar-Chickballapur line from narrow gauge to broad gauge.