Six trains announced last year yet to be flagged off

Six trains announced last year yet to be flagged off

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Jan 29, 2015: While Minister for Railways Suresh Prabhu is all set to present the second Railway Budget of the NDA government, six trains announced in the 2014-15 interim and main budgets by his predecessors, M. Mallikarjun Kharge and D.V. Sadananda Gowda, are yet to be flagged off.

 

Of the six trains, the delay in the introduction of Bengaluru-Ramanagaram Mainline Electrical Multiple Unit (MEMU) and Bengaluru-Mangaluru Daily Express has been a cause for concern for the public, as they were supposed to address the much-needed connectivity issue at a time when Shiradi Ghat is closed to traffic.

The MEMU was expected to herald the beginning of the much sought-after suburban rail system for Bengaluru. The Bengaluru unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party had released a separate list of poll promises for the city, and suburban rail was one among them.

Having elected three BJP members, including Mr. Sadananda Gowda who held the Railways portfolio earlier, the city is yet to get even the MEMU, regretted Sanjeev Dyamannavar of praja.in.

No clearance yet

Divisional Railway Manager of Bengaluru Division of South Western Railway (SWR) Anil Kumar Agarwal told The Hindu that the electrified line between Ramanagara and Kengeri is yet to get clearance from the Commissioner of Railway Safety .

The SWR was conducting trials with Diesel Electric Multiple Units on the stretch, he said without specifying date of its launch.

The service, however, cannot be extended to Whitefield, as being demanded by many, for operational reasons, he added.

Overnight train

As far as Bengaluru-Mangaluru Express is concerned, the Indian Railway Timetable Committee had finalised its route via Mysuru as a day train, even though people demanded an overnight train via Arsikere, the shortest route.

SWR General Manager P.K. Saxena told The Hindu that the day train’s introduction is delayed because of operational problems on the Sakleshpur Ghat sections.

The best option would be to split the present night Bengaluru-Karwar/Kannur Express into two and running two separate trains with 23 coaches each. The Minister is supposed to take a decision, they added.

 

Courtesy: The hindu