Take decision within 3 months: HC to Railways

Take decision within 3 months: HC to Railways

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, June 22, 2011 : The Paschima Karavali Railway Yatri Abhivridhi Samithi President Hanumantha Kamath said that Karnataka High Court has issued direction to the Railway Ministry and Railway Board to take a final decision on the implementation of extension of Bangalore-Mangalore night train (6517/6518) service to Karwar within three months.

 

 

Addressing a press meet here on Tuesday, he said IRTTC (Inter zone Railway Time Table Conference) meeting in January 2009 had recommended to the Railway Board to extend Bangalore-Mangalore night train to Karwar to provide railway connectivity to the entire coastal districts. “Unfortunately, Union Minister of State for Railways E Ahamed pressurised the Railway Ministry to extend the train to Kannur instead of Karwar for his selfish interest.

Inspite of the stiff opposition from the people of Coastal district to extend the train to Kannur, the Central government extended the train to Kannur. The Samithi Vice-President Rajiv Gaonkar filed PIL in the High Court questioning the rational behind the extention of train to Kannur when it was recommended to extend the train to Karwar in the IRTTC.

The High Court after hearing the petition has directed the Railway Board to take a final decision on the timetable prepared in the Inter zone Railway Time Table Conference. With the extension of the night train to Karwar, the entire coastal stretch will be benefited, he said and added that the High Court has directed the Ministry to give details on the measures taken by the Board to implement the timings decided in the IRTTC meeting to the petitioner within a month.

Kamath urged the MPs of Coastal districts to press the demand for the extension of Mangalore-Bangalore night train to Karawr in the Parliament.

If the Central government fails to take measures to extend the train to Karwar, then it will amount to contempt of court and the Committee will stage protest from Mangalore to Karwar by taking people into confidence.  He said when it comes to railways, the Centre has been always showing step motherly treatment towards Karnataka.

In a separate press meet in Udupi, Railway Yatri Sangha President R L Dias said that with the extension of train to Kannur, the railways are incurring loss of Rs 2 lakh per day. The seventeen bogies of the train is run with few passengers, he said.
“We will not rest till our demand is fulfilled,” he added.

Courtesy: Deccan Herald