New Indpress

Bangalore, Nov 23: Divisional Railway Manager for Bangalore Division, South Western Railway, Mahesh Mangal on Tuesday November 21, said new trains were likely to be introduced to Mangalore, Tatanagar and Dharbhanga, apart from extra special winter trains to Chennai, Nagarcoil, Hubli and other places.

He was speaking at an interactive meeting organised by the Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry.

Mangal said many major projects were in the pipeline. New lines would be introduced between Bangalore and Hassan and from Kengeri to Chamarajnagar.

The lines between Bangalore and Tumkur and between Bangalore and Tumkur would be doubled, apart from electrification of the lines between Bangalore and Mysore, he said.

He said that infrastructure facilities would be upgraded at Cantonment, Tumkur, Bangarpet and other stations. New surveillance cameras and kiosks would be installed at various stations too.

The South Western Railway, which covers 2,608 km in Karnataka, is estimated to reach a cash surplus of Rs 20,000 crore in the current year.

FKCCI president R.C. Purohit suggested that a railway line to Kodagu, the only district in the state not to have railway connectivity, should be considered.

He also urged a revision on rational basis in haulage charges that would increase operating cost for container operators.

FKCCI Infrastructure Committee Chairman R Shivakumar proposed a third terminal of railways at Byappanahalli to reduce traffic on the roads. He also urged the railway department to consider the plea of Bhartinagar Residents’ Forum and halt the Chennai Passenger train, Brindavan Express and Lalbagh Express at the Bangalore East Railway Station.