MPs urge state railways minister to change train routes

MPs urge state railways minister to change train routes

Mangalore Today News Network

August 6: MPs D. V. Sadananda Gowda of Udupi – Chikmagalur, Ananth Kumar Hegde of Karwar, and Nalin Kumar Kateel of Mangalore met Mr. K. H. Muniyappa, the union minister of state for railways, and submitted a memorandum demanding certain changes to be made in railway routes to Mumbai, Bangalore, Margao, and Mangalore.

The memorandum focuses attention on the importance of the Bangalore – Hassan – Mangalore route, which is not only one of the most profitable railway lines, but also the only railway line connecting the state’s capital to its only sea port (Mangalore), owing to which thousands of people travel along it and millions of tons of good are transported from Bangalore to the port.

The MPs also stated in their memorandum that the Bangalore – Mangalore night train has been extended to Kannur instead of to Karwar via Udupi – Kundapur. During the IRTTC meeting, which was convened in Bangalore on Jan 27 – 29, 2009, it was agreed that train no. 6517/6518 Yeshvanthapuram (Bangalore) – Mangalore express will be extended to Karwar via Mangalore, Udupi, Kundapur, Bhatkal, Kumta, and Gokarna.

In spite of this decision, the train has been extended to Kannur instead of to Karwar, said the MPs and added that the people of coastal Karnataka have been deprived of their rights. They alleged that the train was wrongfully extended to Kannur only because of political pressure. They urged the minister to extend the night train no. 6517/6518 to Karwar from Mangalore as decided in the IRTTC meeting and also to extend it to Kannur with an extra loco.

The newly introduced tri-weekly Mumbai – Karwar Superfast will be of great use only to the people of Maharashtra, said the MPs urging the minister to extend this train to Mangalore so that it will benefit the people of three districts.