Mangalore: Light in Sight for Mangalore-Bangalore Passenger Train
Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network – (MM/NR)
Mangalore, Oct 15: Finally positive tiding is witnessed here with regard to the commencement of passenger railway services between Mangalore and Bangalore, with a test run done on October 15.
Speaking to daijiworld.com, V N Mathur, member of Railway Traffic Board clarified that the Railway department is very keen on starting passenger train service between Mangalore and Bangalore. Mathur reached Mangalore Railway Station here on Monday, October 15 at 12.10 am in an inspection car which started its journey from Bangalore, on Sunday October 14 at 10 am. He was accompanied by many senior railway officials and engineers.
All plans are afoot to commence the said services between Mangalore and Bangalore in November, at the earliest. Moreover, union railway minister Laloo Prasad Yadav will inaugurate this train service, he informed.
With regard to the safety issue, predominant on his mind was the issue relating to working of signals. In this connection he held discussions with Mysore division authorities to sort out the problem, he informed.
Some landslides have been reported during the monsoon season at Ghat sections. Therefore to ensure the safety of rail passengers, signal equipments will be utilized there. This is the major issue where more attention is needed, he opined.
Since the road between Bangalore and Mangalore is in a pitiable state, there is pressure on railway department to re-introduce passenger trains on this route as early as possible. In the initial stage, there is a proposal to run a train overnight, which will leave Mangalore in the evening and reach Bangalore in the morning. It will take about 10 hours to traverse between Mangalore and Bangalore, said Mathur.
At the same time he clarified that there is no proposal to dissolve the Konkan Railway Corporation. And in case it is indeed dissolved, it will be added to Mysore division, he assured.
Later he paid a visit to Kankanady railway station and the dock yard at Panambur
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