Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi
Udupi, Nov 27: The proposal to merge Konkan Railway with the Ministry of Railways has already been submitted to the central government. Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has expressed his agreement to the proposal. He has instructed relevant authorities to proceed by engaging shareholder states—Karnataka, Kerala, Goa, and Maharashtra—to repurchase their shares, said Udupi-Chikkamagaluru MP Kota Srinivas Poojary.
In a meeting held at Rail Bhavan in New Delhi, MPs Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri (Uttara Kannada), Kota Srinivas Poojary (Udupi-Chikkamagaluru), Capt Brijesh Chowta (Dakshina Kannada), and Dr CN Manjunath (Bengaluru Rural) discussed the persistent issues faced by rail services between Karwar, Kundapur, Udupi, and Mangaluru due to the Sakleshpur Ghat section. The team highlighted the expert-recommended solutions already available for these challenges.
The MPs proposed measures such as doubling the Sakleshpur-Subrahmanya railway line, increasing speeds on the Subrahmanya-Padil route, and establishing Harebettu as a crossing station. They noted that making Harebettu a crossing point would enable better schedules and additional trains between Bengaluru, Mangaluru, Kundapur, and Karwar with more coaches.
Karwar-Bengaluru route proposals
The team also advocated for introducing a new direct train on the Padil bypass route from Bengaluru to Karwar-Kundapur, similar to the Panchaganga Express model, but with a delayed departure from Bengaluru. They reiterated their request for halts at Kundapur and Udupi for Delhi-bound trains, which have already received preliminary approval, and anticipated swift formalization of the orders. Additionally, the MPs sought a new rail connection from Chikkamagaluru to Tirupati via Bengaluru.
Extension requests for train services
The MPs further urged extensions for several train services to enhance connectivity:
- Extend the Bengaluru-Murudeshwar train to Vasco, linking coastal Karnataka with Goa's airport, Velankanni, Tirupati, and North Karnataka.
- Extend the SMVP Murudeshwar Express to Vasco.
- Extend train number 17317/18 Express to Karwar.
- Include a stop for train number 17317/18 at Khanapur.
The team also discussed improvements to the Hubballi-Ankola and Talguppa-Hubballi railway lines to bolster regional connectivity.