News and pics:Hemanath Padubidri
Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (SP)

Udupi,, Feb 23: Udupi-chikmagalur MP, D V Sadanand Gowda, has urged union minister of state for railways, K H Muniyappa, to extend the night train between Mangalore and Bangalore, to Karwar, instead of Kannur. He met the minister on Tuesday February 22 morning, and handed over a detailed letter, demanding the above extension.

He pointed out that the above train’s route between Bangalore and Mangalore has been treated by the railways as a very profitable sector, duly noting that this route has also been earning revenue to the railways through goods transportation. He has also expressed anguish at the extension of the train to Kannur instead of Karwar. He has accused the railway department of overlooking the needs of the people of coastal Karnataka.

The MP also asked the department to hasten the completion of laying of railway line between Kadur and Chikmagalur, which has been pending since long.  He has asked the ministry to release a further sum of Rs 40 corre for this project, in addition to the amount already set aside in the last budget.

While urging the minister to include both the above proposals in the coming railway budget, Gowda warned that the people of the coastal Karnataka districts and Chikmagalur, are becoming impatient at the step motherly treatment they have been suffering in the hands of the railway ministry.