Train extension to Cannanore not beneficial in any way – MP Jayaprakash Hegde

Train extension to Cannanore not beneficial in any way – MP Jayaprakash Hegde

Mangalore Today News Network

Udupi , July 9, 2012: Udupi – Chikmagalur MP K. Jayaprakash Hegde has questioned the wisdom of the railway authorities, which extended the services of the Yeshwanthpur to Mangalore Express (train number 16517/16518) to Cannanore in spite of commuters’ demand to extend it to Karwar in Uttara Kannada. He has pointed out that the move is neither revenue-generating nor beneficial to commuters. 

According to statistics revealed by Udupi – Chikmagalur MP K. Jayaprakash Hegde, the average number of people travelling to Cannanore by train number 16517 is only 32 and only 36 by train number 16518. On the contrary, the average number of passengers travelling to Mangalore by 16517 is 511 and 517 by 16518. 

Bringing these statistics to the notice of K. H. Muniyappa, state minister for railways, Mr. Hegde has written a letter demanding the diversion of the train to Karwar as originally demanded. 

When the train was first extended to Cannanore in Jan 2010, Muniyappa supported the move of the railways stating that the extension of the train to Cannanore must not be questioned because the railways are a national asset. He further stated that the train was extended to generate more revenue for the railways. The statistics, however, clearly reveal that the extension can hardly be revenue-generating for the railways. 

In his letter to Muniyappa, Mr. Hegde has stated that the extension of the train to Cannanore is a breach of trust. He further stated that the Government of Karnataka and the Railway Department created the Hassan Mangalore Railway Development Company (HMRDC) in which the state invested 41 percent. After completing the project, the railway department did not keep its promise to the state of Karnataka, which provided the funds, but obliged Kerala instead. 

Mr. Hegde further pointed out that, because of this poor decision, the people of Karnataka have to struggle to reach their own capital city Bangalore, while the people of Cannanore are given direct access to it.