Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (SP)

Mangalore, Feb 18: “Konkan Railway Corporation Ltd has not been able to generate income from goods transportation on this route to the expected level. As a result, it has been suffering an annual loss of about a hundred crore rupees,” said Bhanu Tayal, managing director of the Corporation.

He was speaking to reporters, after inaugurating a rest house for railway drivers, built at Suratkal railway station at a cost of Rs 15 lac. “We are earning only meager amounts through passenger traffic. Unless the earnings of the Corporation registers an increase, it would be difficult to set up computerized booking facility and halt for additional trains in Suratkal. Any way, decisions on providing these facilities are taken by the Railway board,” he explained.

He added that the Corporation will have another station at Padubidri, exclusively for carrying coal to the thermal power plant in Padubidri. In addition, a fuelling station for trains is being opened in Suratkal, cost of which will be borne by Udupi Power Corporation Ltd, he revealed, adding that ore traffic might commence on this route in March.

A memorandum was submitted to Bhanu on the occasion, demanding for halt for additional trains at Suratkal station. Rajendra Kalbavi, project director of NITK Nirmiti Kendra, which built the rest house,  station manager, Suresh Mayya and several other officials were present.