Karnataka - Mangalore   

Celebrations all the way

Curiosity: People gathered near the new train when it stopped for a while on its way to Bangalore on Saturday.

MANGALORE: C. Ramaswamy, engine driver, had never been offered so many garlands and sweets in his life. Never have people of all ages waved at him like they did on Saturday. When he started from Mangalore after a galaxy of political leaders flagged it off and excited people saw the train off, he probably thought the celebration was over, as did the people on board. But they were prove wrong as there was hardly a junction, a level crossing or station where there were no celebrations. Excitement of people refused to die.

At Sakleshpur, more than 1,000 people gathered to celebrate the arrival of the train at 7.30 p.m. And why not, the train had just crossed 57 tunnels and steep gradient and had arrived there safely. As the train arrived, people who had been braving rain till the train came ton a halt. They rushed towards passengers to distribute sweets. Sweets were distributed at many other stations, including Narimogru and Kodimbala.

At Subramanyapura, where a road runs parallel to the train track, youth rode along the train waving at the passengers and blowing horn, non-stop. Commuters were bespectacled when they travelled from Subrahmanaya Road to Sakleshpur as the picturesque beauty of the Western Ghats unfolded before them. There was hardly anyone who did not say, “Wow.” Some described it as “spectacular” and “amazing” and “fabulous” even as some went speechless. The train chugged along at less than 30 kmph on the ghat section. Life came a full circle for Mr. Ramaswamy, who is on extended service. It was he who drove the last metre gauge train in September 1995. The guard of the train G. Muralidhar also shared the same honour.

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