Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Feb 26: Although Karnataka has been allocated a sum of Rs 2,779 crore this time as against Rs 2,496 crore last year, it is measly when compared with the size of the mammoth railway budget. This sum incudes 50 percent share the state has to bear in certain projects. This time around, Karnataka has not got any new trains. Six new lines have been sanctioned, three tracks will be converted into double lines, while survey will be undertaken for three new routes.

Dakshina Kannada district in particular has to remain satisfied with doubling of railway tracks between Sakleshpur and Subrahmanya Road, and doubling of 1.5 km railway track between Netravati and Mangalore Central stations.

However, the fact that the railway minister has not pruned down the annual allocation to state in a bid to improve the health of railways, is the only consolation one can find. Although Prabhu has not announced new trains for Karnataka, he might relent and announce a few trains during discussion on railway budget, people hope.

The minister has announced survey for suburban railway service for the city, and survey for Lokapura-Ramadurga-Sirasangi-Savadathi new route.

A new railway route between Dharwad and Belagavi for a distance of 91 km,which proposes to reduce time of travel between these two cities from the current three hours to one and half, has been proposed. The doubling of tracks between Netravati and Mangaluru Central (1.5 km) costing Rs 18 crore has also been sanctioned. A 60-km route between Birur and Shivamogga costing Rs 500 crore has got the minister's nod. The other new route sanctioned is between Nanjangud and Nilamboor (236 km) with an inestment of Rs 6,000 crore. A new route between Mysuru and Kushalnagar (85 km) costing Rs 667 crore has also been proposed.

The other new routes are Talaguppa - Siddapur (16 km), Bangarpet-Mulbagal (40 km) doubling of tracks between Sakleshpur and Subrahmanya (60 km), and new route between Talaguppa and Honnavar (82 km) at a total investment of Rs 4,120 crore in total.

The chief minister has resented lack of support provided to state by the railway budget. He said he would write to central government about other pending demands like doubling of Bengaluru-Mysuru route, starting of high speed train on this route, extension of Bangarpet-Mulbagal line till Chittoor for the benefit of Tirupati pilgrims, providing additional funds for Belagavi-Dharwad toute, restarting of train services between Chikkamagaluru and Yeshwantpur etc.